Growing Schools

For 25 years, Growing Schools has been connecting students to food and the land that it comes from. Our vision is a vibrant garden in every school where students, teachers, parents, and community members can gather to learn, grow, and share delicious food with each other.

Growing Schools provides school garden support and educational programs in Greater Victoria. Through our hands-on workshops, field trips, garden installations and summer work experience program, we aim to build gardening and food-literacy skills in children and youth while deepening their connection to the natural world.
A person, pictured from the side, harvesting peas from their tall trellis.

Workshops

Through the school year, we deliver curriculum-linked programs that engage students in hands-on learning through indoor and outdoor workshops. 

***Our workshop offerings are currently paused

A group of people at the Welland Orchard standing in a semi circle getting instructions from one person

Welland Community Orchard Field Trips and Tours

Growing Schools hosts field trips and tours for K-12 school groups and community groups at the beautiful Welland Community Orchard and nearby Knockan Hill Park!

***Field trips are not currently available

Students smiling as they plant their lettuce at the schoolground microfarm.

SEED THE CITY | Youth Program

Seed the City is a work experience program for high school students where they can gain skills in urban farming and gardening, explore career pathways in horticulture, and become part of the local food movement in their city. This program is a partnership between TOPSOIL, LifeCycles, and the Greater Victoria School District.

***Applications for Seed the City are closed

People shoveling compost dirt mix into wheelbarrows on a rainy day.

School Garden Installation Support

We support the development and maintenance of gardens and micro-farms in consultation with individual school communities.

***School garden support is not currently available