Richmond School Garden - Global Resource Systems

COMMUNITY PARTNER PROFILE: Richmond Secondary School Garden Richmond School garden has been growing for 3 years. It is a pilot project in partnership with the City of Richmond, where we provided plots for community members last summer. Most teens have no idea where the food they eat comes from, how it’s harvested, or how it is prepared. So why is our school choosing to grow vegetables on school grounds? Educational Rationale:

Social Responsibility: Environment and Ecological systems

Students and staff make connections between what they eat and where it comes from: seed to table

Models sustainable food systems
Understanding soil and plant biology
Support Naturalistic Learning Styles
Encourages healthy eating habits and proper nutrition
Learn how to handle herbs and food straight from the garden- how to clean and prepare
Connect school community, neighbours, food, agriculture and people

PROJECT DESCRIPTION: School Garden Many of the students in our school live in apartment buildings and live very urban lives. These students do not get an opportunity to get ‘their hands dirty’ very often, and the garden will provide an opportunity for students to utilize the garden as a cross-curricular outdoor classroom, enrich their learning with the hands-on experience of growing the foods they cook and eat. We are hoping for a partnership with UBC Land and Food Systems students who….

Like to work with High School students
Have expertise in long term growing plans, best practices in horticulture, pest management, composting
Are interested in educating students, developing and delivering sustainable agriculture lessons plans that are integrated with High school subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Math, Business Ed, Foods, Art…etc.
Plan and implement seasonal festivals to increase awareness: Stone soup day, Oct 16-World Food day, Work parties, sustainability fairs
Grant funding is available for a summer volunteer co-ordinator who will work with students during June/July/August 2010.