Greenwood Elementary School, Greenwood, BC
Grant term, 2024-2025
The Dig In! Seed Grant has had a transformative impact on our school community, inspiring our staff and students to begin to create a space that is both accessible and engaging. Students have started to learn about food producers, growing foods, and sustainability of gardens. They have also begun growing food, even without the greenhouse intact yet.
Through this grant, we developed a hands-on agricultural learning project centered around the creation of the school garden space with the greenhouse construction to follow which will extend the growing season next year. Students across grade levels participated in preparing soil, planting crops, and maintaining the growing spaces. The use of high-quality materials, including locally sourced compost, allowed students to experience real-world growing conditions and increased the success of our crops. This space are quickly became outdoor classrooms where science, environmental stewardship, and food literacy came alive.
A key feature of our project was its cross-curricular integration. Primary students explored plant life cycles and responsibility through daily care routines, while intermediate students engaged in deeper inquiry around sustainability, food systems, and environmental impact. The project has also created natural leadership opportunities, with older students mentoring younger ones, modeling care for the garden, and using increasingly sophisticated agricultural vocabulary in their conversations.
The impact has extended beyond the classroom. Students have began to see themselves as capable contributors to their community. Many took their learning home, sharing knowledge about composting, planting, and healthy food choices with their families. The excitement around harvesting, even the small yields we have had to date have fostered a strong sense of accomplishment.
One student shared, “I didn’t know I could grow food before. Now I want to make a garden at my house.” This simple statement captures the lasting influence of the project: empowering students with both skills and confidence.
A standout contributor to this initiative was our community partner, Riverbend Farms, who generously supported our efforts by delivering soil and sharing their knowledge of local agriculture. Their willingness to contribute went beyond logistics they helped connect our students to the broader agricultural community and demonstrated the value of local partnerships. We have had many food producers also offer to come into our garden to share their knowledge and also local community gardens have been sharing their plants with students for our school garden.
This grant has not only enhanced student learning but has also strengthened our school culture. It has provided a shared, meaningful project that brings students, staff, and community members together. The garden is quickly becoming a living symbol of collaboration, growth, and possibility.
Looking ahead, we are committed to sustaining and expanding this work. Continued access to resources, materials, and community partnerships will be essential in maintaining the momentum we have built. The Dig In! Seed Grant has planted more than seeds, it has cultivated a lasting appreciation for food, land, and learning that will continue to grow for years to come.
