Dave Madan ’01 helped the students construct two 5’ x 8’ raised beds in a sunny corner of the Alumni Garden (originally designed by Carol Dwyer ’54) adjacent to the library and the science wing. Dave, who graduated from UCal-Berkeley and spent time in India before serving in AmeriCorps, recently launched a nonprofit organization called The Move (Mass. Outdoor Volunteer Experience) that has several local garden-raising volunteer projects planned this month. (Sign up at: Describing his new venture Dave writes, “The MOVE brings the transformational experience of farming and gardening to folks throughout the Boston area by organizing single-day outdoor volunteer experiences for diverse individuals and groups. Our aim is to enable individuals to reconnect with the social and ecological systems that support us daily, to gain greater respect and ensure we take an active role in sustaining them — thereby sustaining ourselves.”
Helping Dave build and fill the beds were several upper school students (Josh Bourdeau ’10, Willy Tucker ’10, Ben Hollingsworth ’13 and Jonathan Phillips ’12). The beds are planted with seedlings nurtured by Jenn Chan ’10 and Leah Stewart-Souris ’10, who cleaned up and restored to working order the greenhouse atop the science building as part of their senior project. Isaac Chafkin ’12, who leads Beaver’s chapter of the Future Farmers of America club, was another enthusiastic supporter of the project.
Over the summer, Beaver Summer Programs will use the garden in its nature study programs. And, next year, the garden will become part of the middle school science curriculum.