Books and Beyond: “Roots Series” Field Trip at Deuces Live Food Forest

Despite a stormy start to the day, the clouds parted just in time for our second Books and Beyond field trip, and what a beautiful afternoon it turned out to be!

This month’s book theme was all about growth - in our gardens, our communities, and ourselves. Children were provided with the “Grow Series” books before the trip by The Competitive Reader’s Coalition, who got them eager to put their hands in the soil. On the day of the event, we gathered with families at Deuces Live Food Forest in the heart of St. Petersburg, inspired by books that center around food, plants, cooking, and nutrition. This vibrant, well-loved community garden is carefully maintained by Norm and an incredible team of volunteers who pour their time and energy into keeping the space thriving. Together with our partners at One Community Grocery Co-Op and the Competitive Reader's Coalition, we created a day of connection, learning, and hands-on fun.

Thanks to donations from Take MAR, One Community Grocery Co-Op and the Competitive Reader’s Coalition we unveiled four brand-new raised garden beds, which the kids were the first to break them in.

Together we worked to load up wheelbarrows with mulch and soil, rake the beds level, add natural nutrients to support plant growth, and, of course, plant seeds and seedlings of all kinds - from wildflowers and vegetables to peanuts!

The joy was infectious as kids dug in, explored the space, and even got to harvest fresh tomatoes and eggplants straight from the vines. Their excitement and curiosity were such a joy to witness!

Beyond the garden beds, we kept curious minds engaged with a themed crossword puzzle and a scavenger hunt, encouraging kids to interact with the plants and the environment while learning about gardening, food systems, and sustainability.

As the afternoon sun peeked through the clouds, we closed out the day with a nourishing community lunch, generously provided by One Community Grocery Co-Op. It was the perfect way to celebrate a day rooted in growth, gratitude, and togetherness.

We’re so grateful to everyone who joined us for making this day so special! There’s nothing more inspiring than watching children connect with the earth, their food, and one another in such a joyful and meaningful way.