The Secret Behind Oak Hill's Amazing Garden

How Mrs. Sharon Reeves Is Growing More Than Just Vegetables at Oak Hill Middle School

While most classrooms sit quiet and empty over the summer, one corner of Oak Hill Middle School is blossoming with life. Rows of vegetables stretch toward the sun, chickens cluck in their coop, and the hum of a hose can be heard just after sunrise.

That’s because Mrs. Sharon Reeves, a Biotech Exploratory teacher at Oak Hill, never really leaves. “I clock in at 6:30 every morning,” Reeves said with a smile. “Even weekends. Because when you love what you do, it’s not work. It’s your passion.”

For the past eight years, Mrs. Reeves has transformed the Oak Hill garden from a simple school plot into a thriving, year-round learning space that’s become a point of pride for the Baldwin County School District.

Why Summer Matters in the Garden

Sharon Reeves feeds the chickens every morning at sun up.

Baldwin is blessed to have gardens at all six of it's schools, but those garden's often are not able to be tended over peak harvesting months and need to be refurbished during the new school year.

“You’d lose all your production,” Reeves explained. “Then you’re stuck starting over, and that pushes you into only planting winter crops.”

In the early years, Reeves wasn’t even on summer contract. She came in anyway, unpaid, to tend the gardens daily. That level of commitment eventually led to a partnership with Future Farmers of America (FFA) to help support summer work through state funding. Even now, she doesn’t do it for the paycheck.

“It was desire,” she said. “I’m not going to let something I care about fall apart just because no one told me I had to be here.”

More Than a Garden: It’s a Living Classroom

Mrs. Reeves teaches six Biotech classes each year. Two each in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. Her program covers everything from plant biology and floral design to wildlife, forestry, woodworking, cooking, and drone agriculture. Her students learn by doing, not just watching.

“If they’re measuring garden rows, they’re learning math. If they’re converting grams to ounces to bake a zucchini bread, they’re learning science. If they’re building picnic tables or raised beds, they’re learning construction skills,” Reeves said.

And yes, they eat what they grow. “Kids want to taste the fruits of their labor. Literally.”

She’s even introduced tabletop ovens in the classroom to help students harvest and cook their own vegetables on-site further bridging the gap between agriculture and life skills.

Chickens, Rabbits, and Now: Quail

Beyond rows of okra, tomatoes, and herbs, the Oak Hill garden is also home to a flock of chickens. This year, Reeves added rabbits to the mix. Over the summer of 2025, she’s finishing up new quail boxes as well.

Why animals?

“Caring for animals teaches students about responsibility, biology, and compassion. You can’t skip a day when you have living creatures depending on you,” Reeves said.

And it’s not just her tending to the animals. During the school year, her students take over the duties; feeding, cleaning, and collecting eggs as part of their daily routines.

A Model for Baldwin and Beyond

With more than $48,000 in grant funding secured over four years, Mrs. Reeves’ program has become a model of innovation, earning her statewide recognition and spotlight teacher honors. She’s also closely partnered with Baldwin High School’s CTAE program, helping students transition into agriculture-related career paths.

Ask any student who’s taken her class once or six times and they’ll tell you: this isn’t just a garden. It’s where they found confidence. Skills. Community. And maybe even their calling.

“I tell my students: if you find your passion, it won’t feel like work,” Reeves said. “And every day I’m out here, I know I’ve found mine.”