Thanks to The Daily Iberian for Jim Mustian’s article on Oct. 10, about the Inside/Out Garden at Sugarland Elementary, which beautifully captured the enthusiasm of the students, faculty and administration for this project. As community coordinators for the project, Elizabeth Little and I wish to say how grateful we are for all the people who have been instrumental in making the Inside/Out Garden a reality. The planting in the garden reported upon so well by Jim Mustian was the culmination of many hours of work and very generous support throughout the community.

Funding to help support this project has come from a grant from the Community Foundation of Acadiana, from the New Iberia Optimist Club, from Doerle’s Wholesale and from many private donations. Thanks to all who have so far made contributions to our continuing fund raising efforts for this project. Additionally, Teche Lumber donated most of the construction materials for the first phase of the garden.

Volunteers from the New Iberia Optimist Club, parents and faculty from Sugarland, and Octagon Club members from New Iberia Senior High and Westgate High tilled the soil, shoveled the compost, and installed the framework for the 100-foot bed. Other people who were instrumental in the Inside/Out project were Jim Foret, who created the garden’s layout, Freddie Decourt who is designing the outdoor classroom, and Bob and Mark Wattigny who assisted with early soil preparation. Picnic tables for the garden were built by Lee Ruffin’s shop class at Westgate High School. Volunteer gardeners of the LSU Ag Center’s Master Gardener program have been and continue to be actively working with the students.

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We really appreciate The Daily Iberian’s efforts to share the news of this project within the community that has so generously supported it. A seed has been planted, and we expect great things to follow!

Susan Hester Edmunds

Community Coordinator

Inside/Out Garden

New Iberia