Supporting Agriculture Awareness in Schools

Students Celebrate Success of Classroom Gardens

Grade 3 students from Beachy Cove Elementary’s Little Green Thumbs program hosted a Harvest Celebration today to mark the success of their classroom gardens – one of 45 such events which have been taking place throughout the province over the past several weeks. The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Education, joined the students at Lester’s Farm Chalet in St. John’s for the event.

“The Little Green Thumbs program, part of the Agriculture in the Classroom initiative, provides an opportunity for students to learn where food comes from, the significance of food systems as well as the importance of sustainability and protecting the environment. The program encourages a hands-on approach, where students plant and grow a garden in their classroom. It is a fun activity, but also complements classroom instruction in science, social studies, health and other subject areas.”
- The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Education

The Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture delivers the Agriculture in the Classroom program, which has been allocated $335,955 in 2014-15 through Growing Forward 2, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.

“Little Green Thumbs allows school-age children, educators and parents to learn more about the variety of foods that can be grown in this province. Our agriculture and agrifoods industry is a significant contributor to the Newfoundland and Labrador economy, with sales valued at $500 million a year and employment provided for 6,500 people, mainly in rural Newfoundland and Labrador.”
- The Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister Responsible for the Forestry and Agrifoods Agency

Through the Little Green Thumbs program, children use kits containing soil and seeds to grow their indoor gardens and monitor their plants’ progress through the year.

“I congratulate the Grade 3 students at Beachy Cove Elementary for their involvement in this fun and educational initiative, which has afforded them the opportunity to gain an understanding of our province’s food system first-hand. I am proud of their involvement in the Little Green Thumbs program and their willingness to share their knowledge with their peers and school community.”
- David Brazil, MHA for Conception Bay East - Bell Island

The Harvest Celebration at Lester’s Farm Chalet included a hayride and visits to the greenhouse and petting farm.

“This great event celebrates success from the students’ hard work throughout the year with a healthy and delicious product that they can enjoy. We are very happy to have the support of the Provincial Government, and the recognition of the importance of this program and its value as a teaching tool.”
- Eugene Legge, President, Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture

To learn more about Agriculture in the Classroom, visit: //www.aitcnl.ca

QUICK FACTS

• Little Green Thumbs program participants from Beachy Cove Elementary hosted a Harvest Celebration at Lester’s Farm Chalet to recognize the success of their Grade 3 classroom gardens.
• The program is offered through Agriculture in the Classroom, an initiative of the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture, which is designed to familiarize school-aged children with the agriculture industry in this province.
• As part of the Little Green Thumbs program, students plant and grow an indoor garden that helps them learn about food systems in fun, interactive and relevant ways.
• Agriculture in the Classroom is funded by Growing Forward 2, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
• Budget 2014: Shared Prosperity, Fair Society, Balanced Outlook, allocates $7.14 million for Growing Forward 2 of which $335,955 is earmarked for Agriculture in the Classroom in 2014-15.

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2014 06 16                                                                                       10:15 a.m.