Saint Peter Public Schools

Saint Peter High School agri-science students in Jasmine Witty’s Plant Science second and fourth block classes recently helped plant a Three Sisters Garden at the SPHS garden plot at the Nicollet County Fairgrounds. The Saint Peter Public Schools Office of Equity also assisted with the project.

A Three Sisters Garden consists of three crops – corn, beans, and squash. These three crops have long been at the core of Native American agriculture and culinary traditions. Another benefit for growing these crops together is they complement each other from a nutritional standpoint.

"In order to make it work with their schedule, the students started the corn early in the greenhouse and planted the beans and squash once they got to the garden," Witty said. "This way, the corn was tall enough (it needed to be a minimum of six inches) for the beans to climb. Even though we had to adjust the process a bit, the students still learned about each step and why it’s important to follow the tradition.”

According to the publication Agriculture and Human Values, "The technique for planting the Three Sisters spread from Mesoamerica northward over many generations, eventually becoming widespread throughout North America.

Diohe'ko, the Three Sisters, had been cultivated for at least five hundred years prior to contact by the Seneca, an Iroquoian tribe inhabiting western New York State. The Three Sisters, corn, beans and squash (pumpkins, gourds), were planted together in hills in fields, cultivated and harvested by work parties of women...The Three Sisters was an important cultural complex. The Sisters are protagonists of a number of Seneca tales, myths, ceremonies and legends.”

The Routledge History of American Foodways on the nutritional relationship, "Beans naturally absorb nitrogen from the air and convert it to nitrates, fertilizing the soil for the corn and squash. In return, they are supported by winding around the corn stalks. The squash leaves provide ground cover between the corn and beans, preventing weeds from taking over the field. These three plants thrive together better than when they are planted alone.”

“It is exciting to see our education programs embracing the Indigenous heritage and practices that have existed here for hundreds of years,” John Warren, SPPS Equity Coordinator, said. “This provides students an opportunity to experience and understand a more holistic view on science and technology. When I approached Jasmine with the idea she responded with excitement and enthusiasm, I absolutely commend her for that energy!”