GALT, CA (MPG) - At elementary school gardens around the city, students saw their food recycling efforts come full-circle, as Cal-Waste Recovery Systems coordinated donations of compost.

Partnering with the city of Galt and Galt Sunrise Rotary, the city’s waste collector visited Vernon E. Greer, Valley Oaks, River Oaks, Marengo Ranch and Lake Canyon elementary schools.

The visit to Lake Canyon was after school on April 25. Students and school staff filled wheelbarrows and green organic-waste carts with compost to transport it into the garden behind one of the classroom buildings. The city of Galt donated the compost, and Rotary contributed petunias, marigolds and cosmos flowers to add to the garden, where students cultivate flowers, fruits and vegetables.

Cal-Waste educational coordinator Leesa Klotz said the donation is an extension of her regular presentations teaching children about separating out food waste and other organics for recycling. Elementary students also take field trips to tour the Cal-Waste facilities.

“This is really showing them that the compost that comes back, that’s the result of that (organics recycling). That’s their pizza crust, their banana peel, their apple core and so it closes the whole loop on recycling,” Klotz said to school and city representatives.

Klotz said she impresses upon students the importance of caring for the environment, noting Galt’s agricultural heritage.

“We talk about all the different things in your environment that you need to care for: the air you breathe, the land you live on, the water you drink, the land you grow your food in and the water you irrigate your crops with,” Klotz said.

Lake Canyon Principal Judi Hayes said every school grade level is involved in outdoor learning related to their academic subjects. Kindergartners have a learning garden including chickens; on the day of Cal-Waste’s visit, Lowe’s sponsored a refurbishment of that garden.

Gardening programs boost attendance, helping students learn in other areas, Hayes said.

“When kids are excited about coming to school, when they’re engaged with these sorts of activities, they’re not calling in sick; they’re present, they’re here and it supports our metrics in that area, also,” Hayes said.

Special education teacher Nikki Page said the garden started three years ago as a way to give students hands-on activities, as well as an academics break.

Page said older students buddy up with younger students, learning teamwork. When the crop ripens, the students  take vegetables home with them.

“So it makes them feel special going home and having, you know, lettuce to take home or tomatoes,” Page said. “It makes them feel like they’re contributing something to their household, and they really love it.”

Growing the fruits and vegetables themselves also encourages students to try new foods, Page said.

“It’s cool to be out here with the kids and get out of the classroom. That’s when they learn the most, when we’re out of the classroom and doing tangible things with their hands and working together,” Page said. “I mean, that’s what life is about, right? Teamwork and working with others and learning how to do things (and) being more appreciative of where fruit and vegetables come from.”