Funding Grant Supports School Gardens

Students will be better able to make the connection between food and local agriculture with school gardens funded by the province.

"School gardens provide a valuable teaching opportunity by helping students link the food on their plate with a local farmer," said John MacDonell, Minister of Agriculture. "This program will help students understand and appreciate the valuable contribution of the agriculture industry in creating good jobs and growing the economy throughout Nova Scotia."

"There is tremendous value in having a hands-on project for students to make the connection on how Nova Scotia's food grows," said Education Minister Ramona Jennex. "I look forward to seeing the excitement generated when students experience this seed-to-harvest project."

A one-time grant of $500 per school is available from the Department of Agriculture's School Garden Project to build, maintain a garden. The grant can also be used for teaching materials and soil testing fees.

'The announcement of funding for school gardens is a great step in the right direction," said Michael Howell, leader of Slow Food Nova Scotia, which promotes the appreciation of food. "If a child grows food from scratch and learns how to cook it, he or she is very likely to appreciate it and eat it. School gardens contribute to healthy schools, communities, local economies and healthy citizens."

The total available through the school garden project is $20,000 to be distributed proportionally across school board regions.

Applications are now being accepted. More information about the project and a school garden resource guide are available at www.gov.ns.ca/agri/agaware .