Agricultural Education for a Sustainable Future
At the Miller School of Albemarle, students are taking an active role in showcasing their school’s sustainable agriculture program, which was created in 2021. This year, the school will be participating in the Garden Club of Virginia’s Historic Garden Week, a popular event that celebrates the beauty and importance of gardens across the state. On Sunday, visitors will be able to explore the school’s 1,100-acre campus, learn about the program’s focus on no-till gardening, raised-bed gardening, and hydroponic gardening, and even get their hands dirty by buying bird nesting balls and seed kits from student entrepreneurs.
Agricultural Education in Action
The Miller School’s sustainable agriculture program is “honoring its manual labor roots” through its hands-on approach to learning. Students are actively involved in maintaining the school’s gardens, learning about sustainable farming practices, and caring for the school’s animals, including baby lambs. The program also includes research and education on the history of agriculture in the area, with students in the History and Archive Club writing talking points for the tour docents to ensure that visitors receive a comprehensive and engaging experience.
The Tour Experience
Visitors to the Miller School will have the opportunity to explore the school’s gardens, animal husbandry program, and learn about the program’s commitment to sustainability. The tour will include stops at the school’s garden plots, where visitors can see the school’s students and faculty at work, and the animal enclosure, where they can meet the baby lambs and learn about the care and management of the animals. The tour will also include a visit to the school’s greenhouse, where visitors can learn about hydroponic gardening and see the latest advancements in sustainable agriculture.
Partnerships and Collaborations
The Miller School’s participation in Historic Garden Week is made possible through partnerships with the Rivanna Garden Club and the Charlottesville Garden Club. The Rivanna Garden Club is presenting the Charlottesville and Albemarle County events for the Garden Club of Virginia’s Historic Garden Week, and members of the Charlottesville Garden Club and Albemarle Garden Club are also pitching in to help with the event.
Other Garden Events in Albemarle County
While the Miller School is participating in Historic Garden Week, there are other garden events taking place in Albemarle County that are worth visiting. On Saturday, the Morven estate at 791 Morven Drive will be hosting a garden tour, which will include a visit to the Japanese garden created by former owners John and Patricia Kluge in the 1990s. The tour will also include a visit to the University of Virginia Foundation’s UVa Sustainability Lab.
On Monday, the UVa gardens at Carr’s Hill will be open to the public, and visitors will be able to take a tour of the gardens and the house. The tour will include a visit to the UVa Lawn and Pavilion gardens, where visitors can see the beautiful flowers and plants that are grown on campus. The tour will also include a visit to the Arboretum and Botanical Gardens at the Darden School of Business, which features a Chinese garden, a Japanese garden, and “hundreds of flowering trees.”
| Event | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Miller School of Albemarle | 1000 Samuel Miller Loop | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
| Morven Estate | 791 Morven Drive | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
| UVa Gardens at Carr’s Hill | Carr’s Hill | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. |
Visitors to the events will have the opportunity to meet and greet with students, faculty, and staff from the Miller School of Albemarle. They will also have the chance to learn about the school’s sustainable agriculture program and see the beautiful gardens and landscapes that are a part of the school’s campus. Comfortable, sturdy shoes are recommended for the walking tours, which include steps and uneven surfaces and are not accessible to guests with mobility issues.
If you are interested in getting involved with the Miller School’s sustainable agriculture program or learning more about the program, there are several ways to get involved. You can visit the school’s website to learn more about the program and how to get involved, or you can contact the school directly to ask about volunteer opportunities or to schedule a tour.
“The Miller School is ‘honoring its manual labor roots’ through its sustainable agriculture program, which is a reflection of our commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.”
– Marilyn J. Wright
