Garden Starter Kits
Vision
After studying the causes and effects of climate change, with a focus on the impact in our community, this group of students decided that encouraging more families to start their own gardens would not only mitigate the effects of climate change, but would also encourage families to become more self sufficient and promote food security in our community.
Action
These students discussed and identified the challenges of starting your own garden and decided to create easy to use garden starter kits. First, they researched the types of vegetables that grow easily in our climate directly from seed in the garden (no need for transplants). They then developed a graphic to support families with the planting of the seeds, including sowing dates and symbiotic relationships between plants. They researched the importance of composting and developed a list of food waste that would benefit a home garden and designed this information into an easy to read pamphlet.
Students then contacted and collaborated with local farms to source their seeds locally. Once they secured a source and knew which seeds they could offer, the student built a website, promoted within the community and started taking pre-orders for their seed kits.
Once orders were collected, students ordered and collected their seeds and began weighing and packaging their seeds. They organized all their seed envelopes and information into neat paper bags, folded and stapled with a “Thank You!” note and QR code connecting to a graphic they designed to share more information on the positive impact gardening can have on climate change.
Students decided that the proceeds from these seed kits should be donated to our school breakfast program to promote healthy eating and food security within our school.
Reflection & Celebration
Our students sold close to 100 seed kits, resulting in a donation of over $1000 to our school breakfast program. The students were very enthusiastic about the project and really pulled together as a team. They were overwhelmed and flattered by the response from the community. Some students expressed an interest in continuing this project as a fundraiser in the future.