Hands-on community based education
Our programs teach people how to grow and harvest fresh, healthy produce, and become active participants in our sustainable local food system.
We have a range of educational programming for all ages, from preschool to adult!
Education Opportunities for Kids and Youth
Our students love kale. They watch ladybugs track aphids during recess, and look forward to measuring the growth rate of garlic each month. Students get their hands dirty in each step of the process; choosing the vegetables they grow, sowing the seeds, maintaining the plots (with the help of amazing volunteers) and picking the fruits of their labour.
At Your School
We want to offer the Edible Garden Education Program at your school!
Contact us to learn more about the program or make an appointment for a presentation to your staff or Parent Advisory Committee.
Farm Visits
If your school already has a garden program or does not have the capacity to commit to the Edible Garden Education Program right now, Loutet Farm visits are a great alternative.
We also welcome summer camps, and clubs!
Volunteer
We love to have extra hands helping when there are children learning in our gardens or farms.
Small groups led by volunteers mean that students learn and experience more! We offer training and fun times teaching in the gardens
The Edible Garden Education Program (EGEP)
A hands-on, interactive educational program bringing students out of the classroom and into the garden.
This program provides a great opportunity for students to learn hands on how to grow and care for vegetables. Students I was blown away when I came in today and all they could talk about was plants!
I was blown away when I came in today and all they could talk about was plants!
Program Details
Grades
All elementary grades (K-7) are invited to participate.
Educational activities are connected to the BC Curriculum and are geared to be appropriate for each grade throughout the year.
Lessons (subject to change)
Our garden lessons are organized by seasonal themes:
- SEPT: Garden discovery & harvest
- OCT: Garlic & seed harvesting/saving
- NOV: Cover crop, mulching & worms
- DEC/JAN: Break
- FEB: Garden planning & “food miles”
- MAR: Seed starts and ID & garden bed cleanup
- APR: Planting & composting/soil
- MAY: Planting & pollinators
- JUN: Harvest & salad celebration
Lesson Format
- TIME: Lessons are usually 45 minutes – custom options available!
- FREQUENCY: Once per month.
- LOCATION: Lessons are held outside except in February. An optional field trip to Loutet Farm is also offered in the spring.
- WHO: Lessons are led by EGP staff with assistance from volunteers and the classroom teacher. Emphasis is on small groups, hands-on activities, and tasting delicious veggies!
- SPACE: School need to maintain sufficient space for hands-on lessons. This usually means > 3 garden beds (at least 4’ x 8’ each).
Volunteers
We recruit, coordinate, and train volunteers from the community. Parents from the school are also encouraged to attend and volunteer.
Roles and responsibilities
EGP coordinates monthly visits, provides supplies as needed, and ensures lessons and communications are sent before and after each session. This includes additional activities for each monthly theme, and general seasonal reminders. Schools are responsible for preparing their class, and maintaining the garden outside of EGP visits (including summer months).
Cost
$500/class (minimum three classes per school).
More info
Contact EGP’s Education Coordinator:
schools@ediblegardenproject.com
Loutet Farm Visit
The Edible Garden Project provides guided educational visits to Loutet Farm for schools and other groups. Loutet Farm provides an outdoor classroom featuring hands-on farming experiences to build childrens’ awareness of the impact our food can have on our health and the environment.
We’re open for tours from March – November each year, and would love to welcome your group for one of our themed field trips or a customized experience.
Book a School Tour
Background
Loutet Farm is a 3/4 acre market garden operated by the Edible Garden Project, a program of North Shore Neighbourhood House. The Farm took its fledgling steps in 2011 as the first urban farm on public parkland in the region, and the first opportunity for those on the North Shore to participate in creating a local sustainable agricultural system. It is a community hub that brings together hundreds of neighbours to get their hands dirty, buy produce, and celebrate food. It is a place for students to discover where nourishment can be found, and connect to many different creatures along the way.
Cost
- Tours for students start at $100/hr for a maximum of 20 students.
$5/participant/hour after that. - Please inquire with EGP’s Education Coordinator directly about programs for adult learners, postsecondary partnerships, and professional development opportunities
Activities
Our standard tours are 60 minutes, but may be customized according to your group’s size, time frame, and interest.
We offer six themes:
- What’s Up at Loutet Farm? (our most popular tour for first-timers!)
- Soil and the Life Within
- A Walk on the Wild Seed
- Precious Pollinators
- The Farm is Your Canvas
- Salad Celebration
Connected to BC’s Curriculum!
A visit to Loutet Farm meets many of the B.C. Ministry of Education prescribed learning outcomes, and each of our standard field trips are connected to the BC Curriculum from K-7. We also offer a general farm tour made specifically for secondary students!
GardenSmart Workshops for Adults
Learn to grow your own food, support your local ecology and reduce waste.
The GardenSmart series explores gardening through the seasons on the North Shore.
At GardenSmart workshops, you’ll learn how to:
- Plan your garden
- Build your soil
- Start and save seeds
- Grow your first vegetable garden
- Attract beneficial insects
- Garden in containers
- Preserve the food that you grow
- And more!
GardenSmart programs are priced to remain accessible to everyone in our community. You can register by clicking the link for each workshop below. If you are unable to book online, email info@ediblegardenproject.com.
Upcoming GardenSmart Workshops
more next season
Teacher Resources
Bring your teaching to life in a school garden
Schoolyard gardens can be incredible resources and learning spaces for children of all ages, but using them in your weekly routines or to meet specific learning outcomes can be challenging.
We’ve put together the following resources to help you: