– by Dave Friend, aka “Mr. Organic” –
Why do I do what I do? On food-growing Vancouver Island we have become dependent on imported food, to such an extent that at any given time we now have only 72 hours of food supply!
Consequently, we now need more people growing more food in their community for their community – on Vancouver Island! And we also need to teach people how to grow food – on Vancouver Island!
In two local school districts, 61 and 63, there are approximately 20,000 school students who are able, and as it turns out very willing, to grow food. So, four years ago I created the Growing Young Farmers School Program.
The Program? A Grower Educator (predominantly myself at the moment) visits classes on a regular basis. Through classroom learning and (mainly) outdoor hands-on learning, and with the support of their teacher, the Grower Educator educates, encourages and empowers the students to grow health-friendly organic food. They learn what, when and how to grow chemical-free food. Their hands-on activities include making their own potting soil, seeding (trays and direct), mulching, composting, transplanting, companion planting, good bugs v bad bugs, lasagna gardening (a big hit), seed saving (also a big hit), weeding, irrigation, EATING what they have grown and oh yes: having FUN!
Food is grown on school property and/or within walking distance. For instance, students at Sidney Elementary grow at the school in four lasagna gardens and a raised bed. Kelset Elementary students grow at the school and also on an area at Panorama Recreation Centre – a five-minute walk from the school.
And now, a personal huge thank you to all you “champion” teachers who have welcomed me into your classrooms, because if you hadn’t … there would be no Program!
What’s next for Growing Young Farmers? More and more teachers are requesting the Program, which is great because it should automatically translate to more students growing more food! However, for this to happen we need more Grower Educators, and the funds to pay them. We also need funds so we can provide financial support to schools to create, build and develop those additional food-growing areas. Please forgive my forwardness but we would welcome and appreciate donations, whatever their size, and as a Canadian Registered Charity we are now in a position to provide tax-deductable receipts for donations of $50 or more. Thank you for taking the time to read all of the above; much appreciated indeed
For more information visit www.gyfs.ca.
