Dölau Primary's New Gardening Project Teaches Kids to Grow Healthy Food
From Tiny Seeds to Big Harvests: Rural Women's Association and AOK Guide Dölau Primary School Students on a Three-Year Journey to Growing Success in Their New School Garden
Despite the "liquid sunshine," spirits were high at Dölau Primary School in Halle. On Monday, a colorful spring festival marked the launch of a sustainable gardening project that will show students over the next three years just how easy it is to grow healthy food right outside their classroom door.
The celebration was originally planned to take place outdoors among the freshly prepared garden beds. But the weather had other ideas, sending down heavy rain—though that did little to dampen the mood. "After all, rain is good for the plants," Halle's education councilor Katharina Brederlow reassured the crowd, gathered in the gymnasium, which had been quickly transformed into a festive fairground. After all, the children are hoping for a bountiful harvest come summer. Even Karoline Kindlein of the Rural Women's Association of Saxony-Anhalt took the weather in stride, cheerfully renaming the showers "liquid sunshine."
A Community Effort for the Future
The school garden's transformation is the result of remarkable local collaboration among volunteers and sponsors. The land was professionally prepared by Formgrün Gartenbau, while the Fence Team provided the necessary enclosures, now being installed by dedicated parents. The neighborhood also pitched in: one family donated nutrient-rich soil, and school principal Pia Härtig managed to secure additional seeds from local hardware stores to get the project off the ground.
Strong Partners: AOK and the Rural Women's Association
At the heart of the initiative is AOK Sachsen-Anhalt, the regional health insurance provider, with its campaign "From Tiny Seeds to Big Harvests." The goal is to reconnect children with nature and homegrown food. During the opening ceremony, Henry Saage, AOK's state representative, emphasized the importance of hands-on experience: "This is exactly where the school garden project comes in. Children learn firsthand what sustainable nutrition means." By this, he refers to a balanced diet that is both healthy and ecologically responsible. AOK is supporting the school not only with expertise but also financially, providing €500 each year for three years to purchase seeds and plants. The project also kicked off with a full starter kit of gardening tools and watering cans.
The schools involved in the project also receive expert guidance from the Rural Women's Association. Beyond helping set up the garden beds, they offer valuable advice on how to process the harvest. Frieder Höche, the teacher overseeing the school garden, praised this support: "What's especially helpful is that we'll receive continuous assistance over the three years. This way, we can clarify any questions that come up and pass on plenty of practical gardening tips."
Fun, Games, and Learning in the Gym
Inside the gym, eight interactive stations kept the children engaged, ensuring the change of venue didn't dampen the excitement. At one station, they learned just how much sugar is hidden in different foods, while outside, they tested their skills in a wellington boot toss and a specially designed fruit and vegetable obstacle course. Andreas Silbersack, a state parliament member and president of the USV Halle sports club, also stopped by to lend his support, stressing that nutrition and physical activity go hand in hand. He wished the young gardeners great success and—symbolically—"big carrots and big tomatoes" come harvest time.
A Statewide Success for Health
The project in Dölu is part of a major success story. Over the past decade, around 70,000 children across Saxony-Anhalt have already taken part in initiatives run by AOK. The organization's efforts extend far beyond school gardens, encompassing farm visits and providing healthy breakfasts in daycare centers and schools. To date, 32 schools statewide have received support to revive or establish new school gardens. This year, four more gardens will be added—and Dölu Elementary School is now a vibrant part of the program.
