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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1999-04-28, Page 18rdads vru� HOT UNE 235-3141 Page l n Wednesday, April 28 , 1999 Exeter I irn ,- \d‘ uc;it Earth Friendly Gardens growing in Huron -Perth By Kate Monk TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF USBORNE TWP. — Students in ;furors and Perth Counties are getting -lands-on gardening lessons thanks the Earth Friendly Gardens pro- ; r a rr. Vegetable and fruit gardens will be >tabl!shed in each elementary -.+-11uu1 in the Avon Maitland District rnd Huron Perth Catholic School iii,ards over -the next few years. The program began last year as the Kid's Kitchen Table pilot project at Colborne. Mt. Carmel and McCurdy schools. The -pilot project exceeded expecta- tions, said project coordinator Lynda rtotteau. The families who diligently tended The -garden over the summer were a key to the success and each garden had a "pumper harvest" despite last year's harsh growing ,:unditions. Based on its success. 20 schools in Ffuron County are growing Earth Friendly Gardens this year including Blyth PS, Clinton PS, Colborne Central PS, Grey Central PS, Hensall PS,. Holmesville PS, Howick Central PS, McCurdy PS, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Robertson Memorial PS, St. Boniface School, St. Columban School, St. Mary's School, Stephen Central PS, Turnber.ry Central PS. Usborne Central PS. Vanastra PS, Victoria PS, Walton PS and Zurich Ps_ Studentswill plant a variety of veg- etables and look after the garden as it grows. Some produce will be har- vested before the end of the school year while other produce will wait until the fall. Throughout the sum- mer, families will maintain the gar- dens. Each school has a trained volunteer who -will help teach the students how to grow the produce and process the harvest in the fall. A manual will help teachers and volunteers see the pro- ject through. The gardens will also be dedicated as international school peace gardens with moral support from the Ontario Parks Association. At Usborne Public School, the sod has been turned for the garden and seeds have been started in the class- room for the large garden. Resource teacher Kim Hayter says volunteers are needed to further till the soil before the seeds -are planted in May. • The Shell Environmental Fund and Heart Health Huron have provided $100 each for every school partici- pating in .the project and Rotteau is applying to the. Trillium Foundation for further funding. Students being good to their neighbourhoods Students throughout the county improved their school yards and communities on Earth Day last Thursday. It was cold, windy and raining but the enthusiasm of Usborne Central School students was not dampened as they participated in many environmental activities. An ambitious combination of crafts, gardening, Web sites, videos, drama. art, music and the traditional tree planting helped students increase their awareness and appreciation of the Earth. Above: Improving their school yard. Miss Smith, Crystall Kirk, Spencer Westlake, DerrickThomson and Mrs. Hayter plant a cedar seedling during Usborne PS Earth Day activities. At right: The seeds have been start- ed indoors for the Usborne PS Earth Friendly Garden. Nick Clapp with wild- flowers,TrentTaylor with pumpkins and Chris Hern with tomatoes and peppers were tending the seeds last Thursday. Below: Preparing the way. Corey Smith and Charlie Weber add bone meal to the holes dug for the cedar seedlings.