On a warm, sunny day, some Rock Island High School students spent their morning at school even though they’re on summer break.

Back in February, Rock Island High School students planted 288 seeds in the high’s school greenhouse, then on June 20, they transferred the plants to the high school’s garden.

The quarter of an acre garden is now filled with tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, cauliflower, and squash. Eventually, more vegetables will be planted.

Rock Island High School science teacher Andy Campbell started the garden last year with the help of a nonprofit called Sprouting Minds.

Campbell says it's neat for the students to see the project from start to finish, to see the plant go from a seed to a vegetable. He says it’s also important for the students to see how the food is grown.

Last year students planted 350 pounds of food. What did they do with the food? They donated it. Most of the food went to the high school’s Rocky Resource Room, which assists students and families in need. The rest of the food was donated to a local church.

They will do the same this year too.

Campbell says he’s excited to see the garden grow. His five-year plan for the garden includes a hoop house, fruit trees, expanding the garden and creating a nice walking path near the garden.