Grades 1-4 all play important roles in the “Sato Sato project”. The process of growing rice for the next year begins right after the last harvest. Nutrients need to be returned to the soil. This time of year, allows us to turn all the fallen leaves into nutrients for the soil. When leaves break down in garden beds, they add to the soil structure that keeps your soil, and by extension, your plants happy. In addition, it gives the insects that are helpful to the earth a safe place to winter.

The 2^nd graders will be planting and harvesting rice in the spring, so this was a great chance for them to enjoy the Sato Sato fields while helping prepare for next year’s harvest. Each student had one bucket. The students gathered leaves from different areas around the field and then dumped them into the fields.

It was an amazing opportunity for the students to play with the leaves as well. The smiles on the faces of the students as they connected with nature and used their imagination while helping the living things in the areas.

Sato Sato is truly a wonderful place!