School Gardens on the rise across Australia

Australian Certified Organic Magazine Across Australia, Passionate advocates for outdoor classrooms and school garden are already demonstrating that getting children involved in this process has enormous advantages to their health and wellbeing in the future.

From planting seed, through to picking and eating produce, children invaluable lessons about environmental sustainability, soil health and most importantly - healthy 'chemical free' eating says Beven McLeod, of McLeod€™s Agriculture. As a supporter of the Edible School Gardens Project, Beven has been supporting organic gardens in a number of schools on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

"These days, kids are so far removed from where their food actually comes from- and many don't understand why it is so important to understand what they are eating, what chemicals are used and how this affects the earth and their bodies."  Beven says. "The teachers are finding that the kids would rather eat the fresh food they have grown themselves, then lollies and processed foods."

Bevan has been working with Leonie Shanahan, permaculture educator and founder of the project since 2001, and has recently visited a number of schools to speak with parents and teachers about the different aspects of organic gardening.

The project involves a 12 month program in which Leonie works with students and teachers one day per week to teach them about permaculture and garden design, but most importantly she gives them the confidence to manage and maintain the garden once the project is over.

"We teach children how easy it is to grow healthy food in healthy soils that are rich in nutrients and minerals - with an emphasis on chemical-free - which is ever so important for growing minds and bodies," Leonie Says.

"The children feel empowered, they feel a sense of responsibility and achievement, and most importantly they learn lifelong skills that they may otherwise not have experienced in today's fast paced lifestyle," Leonie Says.

For more information about the Edible School Gardens Project Visit www.edibleschoolgardens.com.au or contact Leonie Shanahan on (07) 5474 5892

School Gardens on the rise across Australia Autumn 2010
Australian Certified Organic Magazine
Autumn 2010