Your recent article on the Coyote Valley Elementary Garden ( “Coyote Valley Elementary project introduces children to wonders of gardening,” June 7, www.bit.ly/1Het7GA ), shows the result of community spirit and the generous support of area businesses.

When we were getting started on our garden renovation in early winter, Hardester’s Markets supported us with a generous discount on lumber and irrigation materials for our garden beds.

Managers Duane Harper and Gail Wright helped us maximize our grant funds for the benefit of the students. Guy and the Hardester’s Lumber team cut the heavy boards and rebar to size and delivered the materials to the school garden free of charge.

Parent volunteers and their children built raised beds and filled them with organic soil. Steve Ellis of Ellis Ranch supported us with a free delivery and reduced price. His soil proved to be a wonderfully fertile medium for growing the winter crops.

Star Gardens Nursery and Lovie’s Garden Emporium provided moisture retentive soil amendments at a significant discount.

Tanya Striedieck of Star Gardens provided expert advice and specific soil amendment recommendations which were necessary details for a successful grant proposal. Chanele and Margaret at Lovie’s donated bags of compost.

Parents and students maintain the garden pathways with wood chips donated by Quackenbush Recycling, Hidden Valley Lake and Coyote Valley PTO.

Bennett & Sons Painting refurbished the tool shed. Curtis Edwards Construction supplied customized foundational carpentry for the new beds. Key families and scores of helpful supporters supply the volunteer labor that has been essential for the growth of our school garden.

The Coyote Valley Elementary students receive their gardening education through the efforts of Lisa Rogers, Farm to School aide.

Cindy Leonard of Cobb School Garden raised enough funds from our community to start our Farm to School program. She included Coyote Valley and Minnie Cannon schools in the expenditure.

As a result, classes of children have the opportunity to visit the school garden each month and learn with a fabulous science teacher, Mrs. Rogers.

Our students, teachers and parents appreciate this community and love their school garden!

Elsie Mackesy lives in Hidden Valley Lake, Calif.