In Merced — the heart of one of the nation’s most productive agricultural regions — surprisingly few schools operate their own educational gardens. St. Paul School is changing that, launching an ambitious garden and pumpkin patch project that connects students directly to the agricultural heritage that surrounds them.

Like many projects, the idea of a school garden started with a casual conversation. St. Paul parent Jenna Rogers and fifth-grade teacher Kathryn Barnett were chatting one day after school when Mrs. Rogers looked over at the vacant field next to Mrs. Barnett’s classroom. 

“Wouldn’t it be cool if there was a pumpkin patch out there?,” she mused.

Mrs. Barnett instantly had a vision of how a garden could enhance the educational experience of students in all grades. A couple of phone calls later and Mrs. Barnett also had a deadline.

Local pumpkin-growing hobbyists Tom and Sue McCall, longtime mentors of Mrs. Barnett, shared that if she could get seeds planted by July 1, pumpkins would be ready in time for Trunk or Treat in October.

With a deadline and plan, Mrs. Barnett set out to mobilize support and volunteers.

Mrs. Sebastian was thrilled with the idea of cultivating something of educational value from the soggy patch of land. And others throughout the community were quick to lend their expertise, resources and muscle:

• Parent & Assistant Deputy Ag Commission Derrick Hunger led the heavy work — providing half of the drip line materials, rototilling the entire patch, preparing all 32 mounds, supplying a variety of pumpkin seeds, and providing professional weed management services.
• Parents Andrew and Jill Powers tackled the initial site cleanup, removing weeds and preparing the area for development.
• Cherie Shook, whose nephew attends St. Paul, secured a donated rototiller from United Rental, eliminating a major equipment expense.
• Parent Leigh Bernacchi supported fundraising efforts, lending her skills as a grant writer to the application for a $10,000 Sprouts Healthy Community and Garden Foundation grant.
• Debbie Allen helped plant all 32 mounds and provided additional pumpkin seeds, while also supporting the initial watering for seed germination.

In addition to managing every aspect of project logistics, Mrs. Barnett coordinated volunteer recruitment, garden bed preparation, grant writing, while Mr. Barnett provided the other half of the needed drip line materials and irrigation timer.

Local businesses have also stepped up: Merced Tractor Supply donated 10 bags of vegetable and garden soil, while Stepping Stone Nursery has also agreed to donate soil for the rehabilitation of the garden beds.

It wasn’t all adults, though. Summer Camp students applied fresh soil to the seed mounds and have kept the area properly irrigated.

The 68-by-70-foot space now features eight raised beds for vegetables and a dedicated pumpkin patch with 32 mounds of multiple pumpkin varieties quietly germinating below the surface. The irrigation system’s drip lines and automated timer supports both immediate needs and long-term sustainability.

Pumpkins are Just the Beginning

“I am overwhelmed by the generosity and expertise our community has poured into this project,” said Mrs. Barnett. “Everyone came together to make sure our garden would be thriving when students returned in August. This is what makes St. Paul special. When we have a vision for our students, our entire community rallies to make it happen.”

Principal Ruth Sebastian sees the garden as transformative for student learning.

“This garden provides our students with something you can’t replicate in a textbook — a living laboratory where they can observe plant life cycles, test soil conditions, and see mathematical concepts like measurement and data collection in action,” she said. “But beyond academics, students can learn real entrepreneurship skills through pumpkin sales, from cost analysis to customer service. These are the kinds of experiences that foster critical thinking and life skills in students of all ages.”

 Plans include:

• Standards-based learning across multiple grade levels
• Fifth-grade leadership development opportunities through garden management
• Social-emotional support space for students needing to reset and refocus
• Farm-to-table education with garden vegetables incorporated into school meals
• Entrepreneurship experience through pumpkin sales funding future educational opportunities

This project represents something significant for students. Despite being surrounded by some of California’s most productive farmland, hands-on agricultural education is rare in local elementary schools. St. Paul’s garden creates a direct connection between students and the agricultural heritage that defines their community.

The proceeds from pumpkin sales will fund continued garden development and eventually support field trips and educational speakers, creating a sustainable model that other schools could replicate.

Want to Support the St. Paul School Garden?

Mrs. Barnett anticipates the garden becoming a signature feature that demonstrates how a small school can create big opportunities through community partnership and agricultural expertise. In a county where agriculture drives the economy, St. Paul students will gain firsthand experience in the science, business, and stewardship that make farming successful.

The project exemplifies how educational innovation can grow from simple conversations when a community with deep expertise comes together around a shared vision for student learning.

The campus is committed to further development of the school garden. If you’d like to lend your support through donations, volunteer time, or professional expertise, contact the office at 209-383-3302 or school@stpaulmerced.com.

St. Paul School and Preschool is located at 2916 McKee Road in Merced and has been serving Central Valley families since 1991. The school is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and National Lutheran School Accreditation (NLSA).