What started as an empty corner of the Firebaugh High School campus has blossomed into a thriving student-built school garden – now home to seasonal vegetables like garlic, broccoli and lettuce – that was officially unveiled during an Earth Day-themed celebration on April 23.
Rooted in sustainability, creativity and connection, the vibrant green space includes 23 raised garden beds, a pollinator and butterfly garden, as well as fruit trees along the perimeter, including banana, lemon and persimmon. Nearly every plant was started from seed and nurtured by students in the Evergreen Gardening Club or sprouted at home by club advisor Kate Thomas Butiu.
“This isn’t just a garden, it’s a classroom and a space for reflection, connection and growth,” said Thomas Butiu, an English and theatre teacher. “It’s a place where students learn by doing, and everyone is welcome, no experience needed.”
To celebrate the opening, students took part in Earth Day-inspired activities, including a collaborative chalk art piece, planting marigolds and herbs in biodegradable cups to take home, assembling mini-bouquets from garden blooms and pledging small daily actions to protect the environment.
Firebaugh High senior Frederick Cruz, an Evergreen Club member who helped build the garden beds, said he sees the green space as a relief from city life.
“This space lets us slow down and relax,” said Cruz, who aspires to be a criminal defense attorney. “The school community garden helps bring students closer to nature and be more involved with something at school.”
The garden was brought to life by more than 200 students, who worked together to construct trellises, spread mulch and water the plants, even during spring break, to care for the garden. Support for the garden came from grants and donations from community partners, including the Lynwood Partners Educational Foundation, SLA Inc., Whole Kids Foundation, California Teachers Association and Kellogg’s Organic Soil – helping turn Firebaugh’s vision into a reality.
Weekly club meetings and monthly garden days allow students to earn community service hours and gain hands-on experience. Plans are underway to launch a student-run farm stand to share fresh produce with the school and the surrounding community.
“This garden represents what education should be: engaging, student-led and grounded in real-world impact,” Lynwood Unified School District Superintendent Gudiel R. Crosthwaite, Ph.D., said. “It’s inspiring to see students planting the seeds of change, not just in the soil, but in themselves and their community.”