Led by Science teachers Ms. Katrina Linthorst Homan and Ms. Lena Nicolai, Choate’s intramural Farming & Gardening program offers students an alternative to conventional after-school activities in the fall and spring. This term, nine students are cultivating two plots of land, one bordering the cross country trail and the other at the Kohler Environmental Center (KEC), and a deer exclosure was established at the KEC when it opened in 2011.
The program began in 2010 as an approved project by Zoe Kauder Nalebuff ’11. As student interest in farming grew, the School built a garden along the cross country trail. The approved project eventually became an intramural sport.
Now, students in the program spend four hours per week completing various tasks, including building small greenhouses, working with the soil, and preparing for plantings. Half of students’ time is spent with Ms. Homan on campus. The other half is with Ms. Nicolai at the KEC.
“Working with kids and watching them learn how to grow things, how to work with soil, and witnessing the excitement around seeing the results of their hard work are my favorite parts,” Ms. Homan said.
Currently, the group is growing strawberries and cilantro, among other produce. In the past, Farming & Gardening has also grown arugula, spinach, broccoli, and peas. Harvested produce from the deer exclosure is used in the kitchen at the KEC.
Eric Yang ’25, who began Farming & Gardening this spring, enjoys spending time at the KEC’s greenhouse, tracking the growth of his tomatoes and peppers, and “getting to chat with [other students] in a relaxing environment.” He explained that taking the Global Scientific Issues class last year motivated him to join Farming & Gardening.
“We talked a lot about sustainable living, and farming is a great way to actually be hands-on and grow your own things,” he said.
While there are no immediate plans to expand the gardens, Ms. Homan and Ms. Nicolai remain focused on building awareness of the program, which emphasizes the importance of remaining connected to the land and our food sources while supporting biodiversity by caring for the environment. Ms. Homan said, “My hope is that [Farming & Gardening] continues and that kids get exposed to growing food and taking care of the land because that’s really important for all of our futures.”
