Hufendorf Garten

Hufendorf Garten 

Towards the back of our uniquely historic school within our uniquely historic town there is a long narrow yard complete with a shed which was once used as a stable, it is here that we are excited hold our treasured Hufendorf Garten. The name Hufendorf Garten holds a great deal of meaning. Lobethal was originally planned using a traditional Hufendorf layout, a style that has been used in central Europe for over a thousand years. Explained briefly, the valley was divided into long narrow allotments from one side of the valley to the other so that all owners had access to the main street (village centre) as well as the creek as a water source. Individuals were then able to section off their long narrow farms to incorporate a cottage and farm buildings, stock such as cattle, pigs, goats or sheep, vegetable gardens and orchards. 

Our garden is tended to and used every week by our learners. We grow and harvest fruit and vegetables from seed and care for our school chickens and calves.

God gave us hands to help and to serve. Some children love to hold a pen and write or draw, others a paint brush to create, yet others use hands to play music, and some children are called to be outdoors and work to a purpose.

With our fast paced world and ability to purchased processed foods our dream is to provide experiences that educate and positively influence healthy food habits in students. To help them grow an understanding of their food from patch to plate and experience first hand the joy of planting, growing, harvesting and sharing delicious food with each other and enjoying it themselves. 

Our Hufendorf Garten is cleverly embedded in our curriculum as our students learn about the importance of being responsible stewards of the world that has been created for us, inquiring into sustainable gardening practices, composting, crop rotation, animal care and well being, team work, outdoor physical activity and entrepreneurship to name a few.