Facing a labor shortage, some landscape companies have looked to additional methods of rounding out their workforce while grooming the next generation of the industry.

The gardens at William Roberts School, in Denver’s Stapleton area, were recharged with the help of industry volunteers during ALCC’s Day of Service in 2015. That day, the Denver Chapter built 12 new edibles beds, renovated two existing edibles beds to make them wheelchair accessible, and planted a native and low-water demonstration garden. The edibles gardens were to be used as an outdoor teaching lab for part of the school’s curriculum. Each student grade level has adopted and is caring for a bed, and all students tend the dedicated garden of the principal.