Students at Warren Academy have taken on a new project and are growing a pumpkin patch beside the school.

Bryan Matheny, the principal of Warren Academy, shared why he started the pumpkin patch for the students at his school. 

“I want these kids to be able to enjoy the things that we enjoyed as kids - carving pumpkins and things of that nature,” Matheny said. “We could have just bought the pumpkins but I wanted to give them the opportunity to grow pumpkins and enjoy the whole process. I want them to see what it’s like to water them every day and what it takes to grow them.”

Students are responsible for all aspects of care for the pumpkin patch from planting the seeds to watering and weeding the plants each day. 

Matheny stated that after the pumpkins have been harvested there will be more gardening for students to enjoy.

“After we do the pumpkins Mr. Pyburn does a garden,” Matheny said. “Really it’s a learning opportunity for them as well as a fun activity for the students to do.”

Matheny said that he and the other teachers hope the pumpkins will be ready for Halloween, but they have plans for them if they take longer to ripen. 

“We have about 40 students here and we are hoping that we will get 40 pumpkins to carve by Halloween,” Matheny said. “If not, then we will have some pretty pumpkins for Thanksgiving. My assistant Ms. Morgan might make pumpkin pie with the pumpkins for Thanksgiving.”

Matheny said growing the pumpkin patch is good for students as it gives them a tangible reward for their hard work. 

“Students come out and water the pumpkins every day and check them every day,” Matheny said. “It gives them something to be proud of. It’s something tangible that students can see and feel. They take pride in it and they really get excited about it. Having students be excited about something like this is exciting for students as well.”