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Is the nutrient story being told in your town?

Virden Collegiate Institute, located in Manitoba, is a unique school in regards to the educational programs offered, from teaching agricultural and environmental sustainability to promoting collaboration and science-based, hands on activities.

Virden Collegiate Institute was awarded a learning garden grant of $5,000 in 2014. This grant offered the opportunity for the school to build on a working relationship with the Upper Assiniboine River Conservation District, the West Souris River Conservation District, community members, and the Nutrients for Life Foundation.

The opportunity to include soil science activities in the school’s lessons has evolved into a Land Management and Water Conservation course offered to senior high school students within the Fort La Bosse School Division. This course is offered in three schools, incorporating an online learning component and field activity days. The field activity days are headed by the Upper Assiniboine River Conservation District Manager with assistance from the West Souris Conservation District, Virden Collegiate Institute, and the Nutrients for Life Foundation. The students are exposed to soil science, pasture management, monitoring water quality and macroinvertebrate sampling techniques, riparian area assessment, and GPS and geocaching. The Land Management and Water Conservation course is a popular choice amongst students from all three schools involved. The mixture of hands-on learning in an outdoor environment paired with the reward of seeing their hard work come to life has students eager to learn more about soil science and its impacts on Canadian communities.

Virden Collegiate Institute also hosts the Wetland Centre of Excellence Day, allowing grade four students of surrounding schools to experience soil science first-hand. Virden Collegiate ensures selected grade 11 and 12 students are trained and, in turn, are responsible in leading the younger student groups through various stations, including critter dipping, animal footprint identification, and soil science. PotashCorp generously donated potash samples in 2015, allowing students to explore the science behind agriculture. The Wetland Centre of Excellence Day is a success each year and encourages students to collaborate on hands-on activities.

Virden Collegiate Institute hopes to host a showcase event where the school can demonstrate the effectiveness of their 2016 garden beds. This event would invite students from neighbouring schools to participate in the educational activities and experience the fun and importance of soil science and agricultural sustainability.