CARRSVILLE
In a few years, students at Carrsville Elementary School could enjoy the fruits of their labors. Last Saturday, an apple tree was planted for each class in Pre-K though fifth-grade; there are 13 trees.

The seed for this idea came from a book read by students in Judith Hasty’s fourth grade classroom.

“We read a story — “A Big City Dream” — in which a parking lot was turned into a garden,” said Hasty. She added that the story sparked an idea in the class to do something similar, and the students urged that it could be done.

Through research, the teacher applied for a grant from the Isle of Wight Education Fund and got approximately $400-plus for the project..

“Everything will be used to the penny,” she said.

These trees were purchased from Stark Brothers, which is based in Missouri. Hasty got advice in which kind to buy through advice from local folks in the Carrsville Community Hunt Club: Brian March, Wayne Wilkins, Jethro Darden and Earl Johnson, who is Hasty’s father. They recommended trees that would be self-pollinating or could be cross-pollinated from the aid of bees that will likely find their way to the flowering trees. The men also did the work of digging the holes on the Wednesday before the planting.

After one of the trees was planted, Johnson told some of the students they could see results in about two to three years.

The teacher mentioned she’s particularly looking forward to the Candy Crisp variety because that’s her favorite.

“It’s very exciting,” Hasty said as she watched fellow faculty, students and their parents gather for the occasion. The trees are planted toward the back of the playground’s field, away from the recreational equipment.

Principal Clint Walters praised her for being so instrumental in getting this project to — wait for it — fruition.

He said all the steps involved so far serve as a metaphor for what happens at the Carrsville Elementary The students get everything they need to be successful, including growth and maturity.