x̌alilc (Halilts) School Garden

We ❤️ Our Garden

x̌alilc (Halilts) is proud to serve as a thriving example of what can be when a school community steps up to the challenge of investing in school garden beds.

Thanks to the ongoing support of a small army of volunteers, BISD, and the award of a Whole Kids Garden Grant, x̌alilc (Halilts) PTO has been able to elevate our garden beds to a new remarkable level. Today x̌alilc (Halilts) students enjoy access to and the responsibility of 5 year-round dynamic garden beds complete with real classroom, cafeteria, and community context and connection. This includes both in-school and after-school programming.

School garden beds are the most visible and accessible piece of the BISD Farm to School Program. At x̌alilc (Halilts), the Marshall strawberries and nasturtium bookend clusters of garlic, tomatoes, and climbing sweet peas. Dahlias, lavender, and Shasta daisies distract from Makah Ozette potatoes quietly multiplying just out of sight. A rainbow of cosmos, zinnias, and herbs fill in the gaps through the seasons, but it’s our trademark mammoth sunflowers that serve as a beacon to the larger community.

Sprout Scouts

After School with Ms. Wood & Ms. Keach thanks to XXXX grant. Served NUMBER OF students in 2024/25. Looking forward to fresh programming in 2025/26 made possible through PTO blah blah.

• Examples of programming/ curriculum
• accessible after school programming option

More information about the 2025/26 Sprout Scouts program including registration information is coming to you in a school newsletter in early 2026.

Farm to School Program

The BISD Farm to School Program aims to support students to learn about and try new foods while also supporting local farmers. We emphasize students gaining access to healthy, local foods as well as education opportunities including school gardens, cooking lessons and connections to the local community while celebrating cultural food traditions. We believe that farm-to-school empowers children and their families to make informed food choices while strengthening the local economy and contributing to vibrant communities.

We are a part of a national movement! Please visit the National Farm to School Network and Washington State Farm to School Network websites to learn more. Check out more about the 3 C’s model we follow, integrating the Classroom, Cafeteria and Community as our approach to farm to school.

This project has been funded in part by WSDA’s Farm to School Purchasing Grant Program.

Local Farm Partnerships

Our local farms are key to a healthy and sustainable food system and we encourage our community to support local farmers whenever possible! We are excited to have partnered with the following farms and food hubs to source local produce, eggs and meats.

• Bainbridge Island/Suyematsu Farms: Squash and pumpkins
• Paulson Farms: Carrots, Eggs, Garlic, Broccoli, Tomatoes
• Butler Green Farms: Potatoes, Onions, Tomatoes and Greens
• Kitsap Farms: Lettuce (grown with aquaponics!)
• Northwest Food Hub Network: Fresh pasta made with WA wheat and made locally, Tamales made locally, Sunchokes, Lopez Island Ice-cream for Ice-cream sandwiches sold at BHS, Cabbage, Leeks, Fingerling potatoes, Shallots, Fresh sausage Italian, Andouille Sausage, Beets, Coho Salmon
• Washington State Local Purchasing grant has allowed us to purchase local bison, salmon, frozen berries, stew meat and lentils
• Pheasant Fields Farms Arugula, Spinach, Rapini, Bok Choy, Tatsoi, Komatsuna, and Choy Sum