The Garden in 2004
In the Spring of 2004, Dr. Gary Kociemba, then principal of Henry High, proposed that the expansive area on the east side of the school campus be converted into a place for Henry families and neighbors to garden. He felt that this unused space of lawn would be a way of reaching out to the neighborhood and provide a chance for individuals of generations to come and grow food on common ground for their household sustenance.
Word was spread door to door, via students and school communications and local businesses that an opportunity was open for joining the Henry High Family Community Garden. Initially four families indicated interest. Parents of one student brought in a tiller and the ground was prepared. Participants were given a “key” to turn on the water when needed. They agreed to keep their allotted plots neat. No pesticides or herbicides were ever to be used on the garden.
Students and staff have had the pleasure of seeing and waving to community and family members farming outside their school windows. Over the years, some families lost interest in keeping their commitment as their children graduated or they did not have the time and energy to continue their gardening at Henry. With the increase in the number of Hmong students at Henry, more of their parents and grandparents choose to participate in Henry’s food garden. Farming is an integral part of Hmong culture having been perfected for generations in Asia with practices carried to the United States.
Several programs within the high school have increased the scope of the use of this garden since its inception. Some groups have purchased materials, soil, seeds and plants and have created curriculum highlighting agriculture. The Hennepin County Urban 4-H, part of the University of Minnesota Extension Department, was a partner for one such school program.
Thank you to the following persons who have provided upkeep and replenished soil throughout the years: Camden resident, parent and grandparent of alumni, Lisa Belmares Schnapp; the late Daryl Blackowiak; volunteer employees of Boston Scientific; Henry High Herobotics students; former Henry staff member David Sylvestre; community member Susan Breedlove; the City of Minneapolis; and the Cal Ripkin Foundation. Some vegetable plants have been contributed yearly by Malmborg’s Garden Center, a longtime friend of the school.
The Garden in 2025
The current principal gardener of the Family Community Garden is Lao Xiong, who with her husband Chue Seng Vang, have 14 children. They are Wit, Mong, Xang, Sue, Bao, Dee, Lue, Lu, Nalee, Mao, Kevin, Tee, Chan and GaoNo. Xang served as a Henry staff member for six years. Mao, Kevin, Tee and Chan are alumni of Henry/Camden High.Lao’s children assist her with the garden, but she is the primary farmer.Thank you to this family for their steadfast care of Camden High School’s Family Community Garden for several years.
The accompanying photo is of Lao at the Camden High School Family Community Garden this summer. She does an impeccable job of planting and caring for tidy rows of vegetables and herbs which this year include dill, cilantro, green onions, mustard greens, Thai chili peppers and Asian squash.
Garden boxes close to the main garden are used annually by different community and school programs. They are not planted this summer as the school is closed due to construction activities.
Note: Neighbors and Camden High families, if you are interested in being a part of this garden in the future, contact Susan Breedlove at smcbreedlove@gmail.com.