The learning space was facilitated by former Jefferson teacher Beth Sletta and inspired by students in the spring of 2017 as a way to teach agricultural science to elementary students.

The project began with an above-ground planting bed and grew to include diverse learning opportunities for students including a wheelchair accessible planting space and pergola built the help from the high school agriculture department.

Sletta taught elementary students from 1987 until retiring in 2020 amid the COVID pandemic. She led the creation of makerspace, a collaborative community workshop where individuals gather to share tools, equipment and knowledge to invent and build tools for those who couldn’t afford them otherwise. Sletta developed a STEM program from the ground up.

Now living in the Twin Cities with her husband Laine Sletta continues to teach elementary students online at Minnesota Virtual Academy.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch New Ulm High School seniors who helped found the Jefferson Elementary School Outdoor Learning Space with former teacher Beth Sletta are pictured from left, Sophia Berger, Calleigh Frederickson, Zelli Kamm and Isabelle Longtin. They read the Minnesota School Garden Week proclamation at the Jefferson Garden Party Thursday.

“I’m getting together with my students Friday to do some planting in a Twin Cities park,” she said. “I’m very, very happy to see the school garden is still here. Some of the students that wanted to start a pollinator garden are here. It’s great to see it become much more than that.”

Jefferson School STEM instructor Amber McMullen worked with Sletta for a long time before Sletta retired from New Ulm Public Schools.

McMullen shared her feelings about the school garden for students in first through fourth grade.

“It’s amazing. The kids love it. They love being able to get their hands in the dirt and enjoy being out here with their friends, learning how things grow from spring to fall,” she said. “The high school kids here brainstormed the idea in third grade. They dared to have a dream and brought it to Mrs. Sletta, who helped them put grants together to help build the pergola and gardens. Now they’re seniors, about to embark on their own new environmental adventures.”

McMullen said the outdoor learning space continued to grow due to volunteers.

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Minnesota Valley Lutheran freshman Evelyn Strackbein, left, and New Ulm High School freshman Bekah Schaefer create dandelion wreaths at the Jefferson Garden Party Thursday.

“This about the people who continued to show up day after day, watering plants in the hot summer sun. The kids, families, staff, our community took time out of their day to do this for the kids,” she said. “Yesterday, I worked with second-graders to define agriculture as farming, plants, animals and tradition. From the Native Americans who first used the land to nourish their communities to the rural Minnesota culture we know today. I’m thankful today for the families who continue to support our gardens in every way.”

The Jefferson School garden contains mostly pollinator plants, fall-bearing plants including pumpkins and four apple trees, nine raised plant beds, a raised, wheelchair-accessible planter and two other planters.

Minnesota Department of Agriculture GreenCorps member Izzy Bajek thanked the Jefferson Elementary Parent Teacher Organization for organizing the event.

Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen shared his thoughts.

“School gardens and gardens in general play such an important role and can be a gateway to agriculture for many,” he said. “They provide so many different opportunities for those that don’t always have them. It’s so cool to be with high school seniors who started this (school garden) when they were in third grade. Give them a round of applause. This is lasting legacy. It’s hands-on learning about where our food comes from and where our plants grow.”

Staff photo by Fritz Busch Former Jefferson Elementary teacher and STEM developer Beth Sletta is pictured on Jefferson Outdoor Learning Space signage at the Jefferson Garden Party.

Gov. Walz’s May 18-22 School Garden Week Proclamation read that school gardens bring learning to life in schools, early learning centers, day cares and other educational settings across Minnesota.

“School gardens contribute to children’s health by increasing access to fresh produce, encouraging healthy eating habits, supporting mental health and promoting outdoor activity,” read the proclamation.

Dist. 88 Superintendent Sean Koster praised the Jefferson Outdoor Learning Space.

“It teaches kids how to be responsible, how to use tools, respect the environment, it’s about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) principles and how to build something over time,” he said. “Our school garden is huge. Seeing the kids come out to our beautiful space here and enjoy it is wonderful.”