Students work on the gardens at Petrova Elementary School. (Provided photo — Saranac Lake Farm to School)

SARANAC LAKE — The Saranac Lake Central School District’s Farm to School program is seeking volunteers to help complete upgrades of the Petrova greenhouse and gardens.

The work will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at the Petrova School Garden, 141 Petrova Ave. in Saranac Lake. The work site is located on the Lapan Highway side of the school building, near the pedestrian bridge. The rain date is Saturday, May 11.

“This represents the next step in our effort to upgrade all of our farm to school infrastructure,” Farm to School Coordinator Emily-Bell Dinan said. “We’re excited to have so much support from students and school district staff, but we need the extra muscle from the community to reach the finish line.”

Saranac Lake High School students have constructed new raised garden beds, which are being delivered to Petrova by facilities staff. Prior to May 4, a bulk order of compost will be delivered.

“We’ll move raised beds into place and build out the new Petrova school garden using power tools, hand tools and people power,” Dinan said. “We need all hands on deck to get this community green space built for the growing season ahead.”

Volunteers are encouraged to bring work gloves, water, snacks, clothes that can get dirty, sunscreen and a hat, and, if possible, a cordless drill with charged batteries. Those interested in volunteering are asked to sign up in advance at bit.ly/volunteerfarm2school. Questions can be directed to Emily-Bell Dinan at dinanemi@slcs.org.

This project is made possible with support from The Heart Network’s Creating Healthy Schools and Communities (CHSC) program, Atlas Hoofed It Farm and Specialty Woods Products.

The Farm to School program is also recruiting summer volunteers to help tend the gardens at Petrova, Saranac Lake High School and Bloomingdale Elementary School, from June to August. Those interested in volunteering can email dinanemi@slcs.org — training will be provided.

To learn more about Saranac Lake’s Farm to School program, visit facebook.com/SLF2S. To learn more about the CHSC program at The Heart Network, visit heartnetwork.org or contact Arriana Patraw at apatraw@heartnetwork.org.