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Who’s sharing the nutrient story in your community?

Since 2008, Nutrients for Life Foundation Canada has been providing free resources to students and teachers across Canada based on the Smithsonian-approved curriculum Nourishing the Planet in the 21st Century. In 2012, the foundation implemented a new strategy to help teach communities about feeding the world — and so, the Nutrients for Life Learning Garden program was born.

Nutrients for Life offers two levels of grants. The Learning Garden Grant awards $3,000 over two years to schools and communities with a vision for incorporating Nutrients for Life concepts into their schools and communities. Currently, there are five learning gardens in Manitoba, located in the communities of Gimli, Virden, Elie, Manitou, and Ashern. These were the first Learning Gardens established by the foundation; some started from scratch while others built upon existing gardens, though all have become incredible learning spaces. Other provinces are now getting on board, as well. Saskatchewan, under the guidance of Nutrients for Life Educational Coordinator Ray Cochrane, currently has Learning Gardens in Regina and Stockholm, with the hopes of adding additional Learning Gardens this spring. Education Coordinator Tamara Sealy has three Learning Gardens sprouting in the Maritimes. This year, thanks to an agreement signed with Inside Education in Alberta, we will see additional Learning Gardens growing in Wild Rose Country.

The second level of Nutrients for Life grants allocates funds for a School Garden. Schools from all areas and of all grade levels are flocking to Nutrients for Life to apply for this one-time grant of $500, which is to be used for smaller gardening projects. Manitoba currently has nine School Gardens, with an additional nine planned for this spring. Tamara Sealy brought eight school gardens to the Maritimes last year and will be adding nine this spring for students to learn about soil science and food production. Moreover, Inside Education has had an unbelievable response to their online application in Alberta, proving that learning about environmental stewardship is in demand at Canadian schools.

So, who’s sharing the nutrients story in your community? Nutrients for Life Learning Gardens are doing the job! Teachers and students from across Canada are planning, planting, raising, and harvesting a whole host of plants — and learning the importance of 4R Nutrient Stewardship in the process. Many schools say they would not be able to offer such opportunities without the support of the Nutrients for Life Learning Garden program. The foundation’s Educational Coordinators work with funded schools to ensure they have the resources they need to succeed in their gardening projects. Teachers are invited to attend workshops to gain valuable insight into the world of food production and the demand is ever increasing! A May 6 workshop at Fort Whyte Alive in Winnipeg — hosted by Fertilizer Canada, Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, and Nutrients for Life — was filled to capacity with students and teachers within three days.

The schools participating in the Nutrients for Life Learning Garden program will have the opportunity to lead the charge in educating the youth of today on the challenges and opportunities of feeding our world’s growing population. Learning Gardens are telling the nutrients story in communities across Canada. Do you want to help tell the story in your community? Contact Nutrients for Life at info@nutrientsforlife.ca.