Project Overview:

Armed with a 2021 Woolworths Junior Landcare Grant, 200 students and teachers at Kallangur State School in Queensland’s Moreton Bay region implemented their ‘Grow it, Eat it, Don’t Waste it’ project.

The students were involved in all aspects of the project: researching what fruits and vegetables to plant, designing the new garden beds, planting the seedlings, watering, spreading mulch, gathering and using worm juice from the school’s worm farm, measuring plant growth, setting-up compost bins, harvesting and tasting the produce and delivering to the school’s tuck shop.

One of the teachers overseeing the project says that students particularly enjoyed investigating and feeding the worms, watering the gardens, planting and tasting.

Environmental Outcomes:

In addition to planting vegetables and fruit trees, some classes planted bee and butterfly friendly plants. Drip irrigation was installed in some areas and watering cans used in others, as well as mulching the garden beds. Soil quality was improved by using compost, worm castings and liquid. Food waste has been reduced as students are now putting scraps into the worm farms instead of the regular bins.

Educational Outcomes:

Students learned about the role of pollinators and how to attract them as well discussing water saving methods. They also learned what conditions seeds require to germinate and the needs of plants as they grow. Personal and community health education has improved as students gained awareness and experience about growing their own food and have been enthusiastic to try foods they might not usually eat.

Conclusion:

“Our 'Eat It, Grow It, Don't Waste It' program engaged students it real world, hands-on activities and helped them understand the effort required to produce our food,” said Andrew Swales, School Principal.