In September 2007, Sunset Mesa Preschool “broke ground” on an outdoor classroom, known as “The Garden of Tomorrow.” The Garden is enhancing and expanding the academic and life experiences of 144 Early Childhood and Montessori preschoolers, ages two through five. The children perform real, hands-on, year-round planting, maintenance, and harvesting with enthusiasm and joy. Our goal is to instill in the children a lifelong love and respect for nature, as well as the knowledge and skills needed to care for her. This is to be a natural product of working and learning in a well-planned, well-cared-for, and thriving garden. We also want the children to reap the fruits of their labor, both for their own benefit, as well as that of their community. To that end, we feature our “Seed to Harvest” Farmers Markets--stocked and “run” by the children, in support of charities that address nutrition and hunger in the needy.

“The Garden of Tomorrow brings our preschool children together with teachers, parents, and Albuquerque community members to enjoy the beauty, healthfulness, satisfaction, and rewards of gardening and caring for nature. Parent and community volunteers participate in the children’s school experiences in a most enriching way. In turn, the children learn from and work with individuals who are positive role models and develop interpersonal skills with these adult volunteers. All of this is fostering a stronger sense of local community at our school and a stronger and healthier community within the school itself.

As for funding, Sunset Mesa Preschool’s budgeted funds will continue to be used wisely to support The Garden of Tomorrow and our charitable Farmers Markets. We also ask local businesses to consider either direct donations or purchase-matching gifts to our Farmers Market events, to help maximize what our preschool children can give to the community through their efforts in the Garden.