Wednesday, January 26, 2011

The School Market Garden

(from Eileen:)
NCA has two farm sites in Norwich. The one at Postwick, and another in the playing fields of the Hewett School. Both sites feed into the common commercial venture, but the Hewett represents many other possibilities. There was once a time when schools had gardens ('dig for victory'!), and there was a time,( pre Jamie Olivier), when school meals were only something to laugh about. Between these two points lie opportunities for the School Project.

Thanks to the generosity and foresight of the Governors, and the time and effort put in by Toni Hassett and Tully Wakeman, the school site should begin surprising Hewett students by April. We have had a meeting with the Head of Harford Manor School (neighbours to the farm site) who is keen for us to present our case to the local Heads Cluster meeting by April.The school garden will offer fresh produce to on site caterers, provide curriculum linked opportunities to staff and students, and illustrate an alternative relationship with how food is grown, and the choices we make about that food.

It is early days yet. Just as the earth is slowly showing signs of spring warming, and tender shoots begin to appear, these ideas begin to take shape. There is support and interest from local schools, and how this project evolves will in part be influenced by those who take part in it. A 'schools' group wing of NCA, (a spin off from the 'karabirrdt' process) has been mooted and will meet after the 31st. Our ground is being tilled and is ready for planting, and growth!

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