Dear Teachers,

Registration for Growing Schools workshops in the 2011/12 school year will open September 2nd. If you are interested in hosting some Growing Schools Workshops in your school, please sign up for the dates that work best for you. Please note that workshop #1 should be completed in April and workshop #2 in May. To maximize our use of resources and energy, we prefer to do three workshops in one day. Please feel free to sign up for two workshops in a morning slot, and one in the afternoon.

*Workshop #1 Soil Preparation, Seed Propagation, Minor Plantings (TO BE DONE IN APRIL) *

The workshop will teach about: native pollinators, seed diversity, soil ecology, and basic needs for a healthy garden. After an interactive presentation from our team, students will work with us to plant a variety of heirloom vegetable seeds in pots in-doors. Then, if time permits, we will venture outside into the school yard to amend the large garden bed with compost, manure, and okara.

*Workshop #2 Outdoor Planting (TO BE DONE IN MAY) *

The workshop will develop upon themes presented in Workshop #1. We will speak more about native animals and how they use the garden, and will also continue to learn about plant/soil interactions. Students will plant their food garden completely during this workshop. The workshop will again be facilitated by a team of garden educators to ensure students are able to work in small groups. Unlike, the first workshop, which will include a short theatrical presentation, this workshop will be completely hands-on and will take place enritely out-doors.

*Workshop #3: Putting the Garden to Bed (TO BE DONE IN SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER) *

Winter is coming and its time to put our gardens to rest! That means harvest time, seed saving time, and mulching time. As part of our indoor portion students will participate in an active play featuring a host of vegetable characters from all over North America! Outside we will be doing taste tests, planting winter veggies and cover crops and mulching our garden beds. We will spend some time saving seeds and designing seed packages that students will keep to be planted in the spring.

All workshops include all materials needed (soil, compost, seeds, etc) are from 1-1.5 hours at the cost of: $100. This year (2011-12) we are offering a special deal of 3 workshops for $250 and 6 workshops for $500. 

If cost is a barrier for your class or school participating, please contact the program coordinator to make arrangments.

Please call our new Program Coordinator Jeanette Sheehy with any questions: 250.383.5800 or email growingschools@lifecyclesproject.ca