Fancy Farm nurtures hands-on learning for military-connected students

Bolden Elementary/Middle School’s Fancy Farm has become a living classroom where military-connected students learn the value of hard work, community service and self-reliance through a monthly farmers’ market and garden program.

Teacher Michelle Montanez launched the outdoor marketplace in 2024 with a simple idea: give students a place to grow, harvest and sell fresh produce while building practical skills. Every second Wednesday the garden comes alive with tables of seasonal vegetables, eggs, herbs, student-designed crafts, T-shirts and canvas bags.

Montanez spent months completing all required training, inspections and certifications so the entire Bolden community could safely participate. The project’s success rests on the combined efforts of school staff, students and volunteers from the military community. Active-duty service members, parents and neighbors have contributed to small construction projects that turned a backyard plot into a vibrant outdoor learning space.

In STEM classes students plant, tend and harvest crops and care for the school’s chickens — a fan favorite among students. Students in the business enterprises program manage sales ledgers, research comparable markets and recommend ways to strengthen the enterprise. They also design and sell all-natural dog treats along with other student-created merchandise. Earlier groups of eighth-graders helped lay the foundation for this structured, student-driven model.

The program emphasizes independent, self-directed learning through rigorous real-world tasks that build critical thinking, teamwork and entrepreneurial spirit. By working together on a shared community resource, students practice civic responsibility and the kind of practical wisdom valued in classical education. The strong support from military families reinforces the patriotism and service that define DoWEA schools.