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What started as one mother teaching her daughter outdoors grew into a school serving about 80 students. Discover how Paradise Earth Academy combines strong academics, school gardening, and time in nature.

In this episode of Harvesting Wisdom, Dr. Joe Roselle visits Paradise Earth Academy in Gilbert, Arizona, to speak with founder Melissa Alexander about the journey from a small homeschooling group to a growing school community.

Melissa shares how focused academic blocks, outdoor breaks, and hands-on experiences shape the school day. We explore the garden as a place to learn, slow down, and connect—and how families are learning alongside their children.

IN THIS EPISODE:
• The story behind Paradise Earth Academy
• Balancing academics with outdoor exploration
• A cell phone-free campus and flexible schedules
• Using the garden for science, math, art, and stewardship
• The vision for orchards, outdoor classrooms, and food production
• How community partners can help the garden grow

GET INVOLVED
Interested in supporting the garden with trees, materials, gardening expertise, or agricultural partnerships? Connect with Paradise Earth Academy or Urban Farming Education below.

Paradise Earth Academy:
https://paradiseearthacademy.com/

Urban Farming Education / Project Grow:
https://weareufe.org/

Harvesting Wisdom:
https://harvestingwisdompodcast.org/

💬 What would you add to a school garden to help students learn? Tell us in the comments!

Subscribe to Harvesting Wisdom for conversations about school gardens, growing food, and connecting communities with nature.