Hopes of creating a school-sponsored community garden at St. Michael-Albertville High School are blooming.
After a $2,500 grant awarded from the Toyota Drive for Education grant program last week, the next round of the contest could increase that amount to $10,000.
The high school is one of 14 Minnesota schools in the running for this award. The winner will be decided by the number of Facebook votes through March 6. Two schools will win the prize — one from the "small" school category, and another from a "large" school distinction, based on number of students enrolled.
Community members can read each school's essay about its project and vote for one through the PREP45 Facebook page. Voters must "like" the page to vote. This link takes you to the contest page where you can view the essays. Click "vote" in the blue bar on the upper right-hand side to cast your vote.
St. Michael-Albertville High School Principal Bob Driver said the idea of the community garden came about last fall, and a committee then formed to work on making it a reality.
"At the conclusion of our last meeting, we felt that one of our major obstacles was funding," Driver said in an email.
Votes are open through 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, March 6.
