Urban Farmer Field School - Check it out!

Find out more at SPEC's website: http://spec.bc.ca/uffs

The Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC) is running the third season of their Urban Farmer Field School (UFFS). The UFFS is for new and experienced growers who want to receive hands-on training in sustainable urban agriculture. Class topics are wide-ranging, including growing food, gardening, urban foraging, canning, and more. The next class is March 20th, 2014. 

Save the bees

Our bees will be moving with us to the new site in Totem Field but it's good to start planning what good bee forage we want to group for them!

Julia likes fireweed but it's a bit tricky in a garden. Buttercups aren't a great idea, since they're really tricky to weed and seem to grow everywhere without help.

Otherwise, leaving brassicas such as kale to flower is a great way to feed bees early in the spring.

For more on bee health and the effects of pesticides on bees, visit http://www.cornucopia.org/2014/01/common-crop-pesticides-kill-honeybee-larvae-hive/




Our landscape architecture student volunteers already have some great design ideas that place the bee hives close to the herb gardens, so I think we're well on our way.

Please send your comments if you have more ideas for the new site!

Meet the 2013-2014 Garden Team!

2013-2014 Orchard Garden Team: (top) Dr. Susan Gerofsky, Kwesi, Samira, Galen, Julia (bottom) Roz, Laura, Claire, Moon, Toni (Absent: Dr. Maja Krzic)

 We have a fantastic team of students from Land & Food Systems (Claire & Galen) and Education (Samira, Julia, Moon, Toni), as well as two recent graduates (Roz - BEd program, Laura - Ecology) on our Orchard Garden team this year.

If you would like to arrange a class visit to the garden, a directed studies, or want to learn more about our campus garden/outdoor classroom, please contact Samira at theorchardgarden.info@gmail.com.

The picture above was taken at our current garden site, behind the MacMillan Building. We are sadly saying goodbye to this garden (a student-directed outdoor classroom & urban gardening project since 2005) and moving to Totem Field.

Kids with Autism Benefit from Outdoor Classroom

Check out this interesting article and video about Outdoor Classrooms 

at The Toronto Star on-line newspaper

In a Toronto school a 4 year old preschooler, diagnosed with non-verbal Autism, shocked teachers and family by spelling his name with sticks while playing in an outdoor classroom!  His teacher is a firm believer that outdoor spaces can enhance learning and improve behavior, as she notes that she has never seen him or his peers so motivated or engaged, as when they are outdoors.

This is a great example of how outdoor classrooms spaces can be beneficial not only to the mainstream classrooms, but also to those with special needs.

Picture: The Toronto Star 

To view the full article click here 

Agriculture Blooms at Vancouver Schools

24H newspaper has a very interesting article regarding school gardens!

Soon after Delta announced its plan to have a school garden for every school by the end of this year, Vancouver School Board (VSB) reaffirmed its goal of making schools more sustainable through every school growing their own vegetable garden.

The food produce is used in Foods classes or is sold to help keep the programs running, as all funding is from public and private grants.

Kevin Millsip, VSB’s sustainability coordinator, has connected with the Park’s Board and Nutritionists from Vancouver Coastal Health to provide fruit trees and help plan healthy meals at schools.

Vancouver Technical and David Thompson Secondary School are leaders in this endeavour, as they have partnered with the non-profit group “Fresh Roots” and each have a farm the size of 5 tennis courts!

UBC’s Dr. Alejandro Rojas and his team are in the final stages of completing a 5 year project “Think & Eat Green @ School” in partnership with VSB. The project looks at building healthy and sustainable school food systems.  

                                                                Photo: 24 Hours

For the full 24H article: click here

To check out Think & Eat Green @ Schools: click here