October 02, 2007

Ape expert turns to gardening

Goodall's Roots & Shoots sprouts on Pine RidgeGoodall started Roots & Shoots 12 years ago in Tanzania, as an offshoot of the Jane Goodall Institute. The program's premise is that children can learn about "ethical agriculture" and community building through projects such as community gardens.

Roots & Shoots has since expanded to 59 countries, and more than 100,000 children have participated in its programs.

More than 200 kids on Pine Ridge Reservation participated in the community gardens last summer, Schoch said. The grew peppers, squash, tomatoes and other vegetables--all while learning about about the land and their own culture and language. Hammond led the teaching, with help from local elders.

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