KOOTENAI — Despite the early autumn chill, the sun beat down on the garden beds outside Kootenai Elementary. 

There, under the sunshine, eager sixth graders unearthed vegetables that had grown over the summer, paying no mind to the dirt covering their hands. 

For some students, the activity was routine. They loosened the dirt with shovels, a technique likely taught by a parent or grandparent, before tugging on stems to reveal bright orange carrots beneath the soil. 

Others watched their peers before trying it themselves, delighted to pull out one on their own. 

That's what makes volunteering worthwhile for Sherri Nicholas. 

"That's what it's all about," said Nicholas. "The smiles and the excitement on the kids' faces when they discover a potato coming out of the soil." 

Nicholas is a volunteer with the Bonner County Gardeners Association, an organization that provides volunteer leadership and educational service in home gardening to the community through educational programs. 

Several schools across Bonner County, including Kootenai Elementary, partner with the association to supply school garden programs.

As the students harvest the vegetables, Nicholas and fellow volunteer Janae Dale answered questions and shared gardening fun facts.

"The potatoes and the carrots are their favorite," said Dale. "Those are the most special harvests, so we're really glad to have a good group for that." 

The school garden programs are made possible by willing associate volunteers who teach students their skills. From planting to harvesting, students from different grade levels experience the gardening process. 

Nicholas said she hopes students walk away from the program with a greater understanding of gardening, including knowing how to grow their own food and valuing the experience of sharing it with friends, family and their community. 

"It's really important for everybody to know where their food comes from," said Dale. "A lot of these students are gardeners already. But some of them are not." 

When asked what they wanted to see growing in the garden next school year, the students didn't hesitate to answer. Nicholas listened, keeping a mental note of their responses. 

"If they get to make their choices, they're just more excited about it," said Nicholas. 

Soon, the students will be able to enjoy their harvest in the form of potato soup.

Art and outdoor education teacher Anita Palmer said she has enjoyed having the program as part of her curriculum, noting that the experience is very hands-on for students.

"They get to crush the leaves of some of the herbs, and everyone gets to smell it," said Palmer. "It's definitely been exciting to see them go through the process of learning,"

    Bonner County Gardeners Association volunteer Janae Dale gives instructions to students before harvesting.
  

    A Kootenai Elementary sixth grader picks beans from the school's garden.
  

    Kootenai Elementary sixth graders pose with their harvest from the school's garden.