What is a Seeds of Change Garden?

The Seeds of Change Garden is a hands-on project that emphasizes the rich diversity that can result from cultural exchange. Through the garden that children plan, cultivate, and harvest, they interact with nature and each other. They learn about the similarities and differences among themselves through the experience of growing, cooking, and eating food; important elements in all cultures. The garden further helps students respect and nurture the Earth and its peoples.

The first Seeds of Change Garden was established at Abingdon Elementary School in Arlington, Virginia, in 1992. That year the student population came from families that spoke 18 different languages making Abingdon the ideal school in which to pilot a cultural exchange project. A project of this sort, however, can be planted, nurtured and grown anywhere; in cities, suburbs, and rural areas.

Abingdon's garden consisted of three plots. Two of these plots, an Old World Garden and a New World Garden, contained plants indigenous to Europe, Asia and Africa, and to the Americas, respectively, prior to Columbus's voyages. The third garden, an Exchange Garden, grew plants from seeds gathered by students from traditional fruits and vegetables they ate at home.

The Abingdon students learned first hand that people and cultures influence one another in unexpected ways. Their experience related the cultural impact of Columbus's crossing to their own lives.