Eco online

As a follow up to our story in the last edition of ECO, teacher and permaculturalist Leonie Shanahan asks students from four local schools their thoughts on permaculture.

Leonie says: "Besides lots of fun, exercise & fresh air, the students learn the life skill of growing their own organic food and experience many new fresh nutritious foods. It's very rewarding to see the benefits they get from their garden."

St Thomas More School: Sunshine Beach Year 5

Question: What do you like about your school permaculture garden?

Jacinta Ainsworth

"We don't use any chemicals on the food. We learn to co-operate with each other especially when there are tomatoes to pick, which are my favourite."

Hannah Wilkinson

"We learn how to grow plants and look after them. I started my own vegie garden at home."

Kristen O'Donnell

"We get together and have fun. I like to eat the food we grow, especially the shallots."

Noosaville State School Yr 6

Question : Why should schools have permaculture gardens?

Jaimee Gilbertson

"We don't use any chemicals on our garden so the food we grow is a lot healthier. We get to experience lots of new food."

Tianie Foster

"We have lots of native animals at our school and our garden won't harm any of them because it's eco-friendly. A permaculture garden saves money as we can pick it straight from the garden when the chefs come to cook with us. It's a good experience."

Siena Catholic College

Tell us about the garden you are working in at school.

Stella Curtis

"It's a permaculture no dig garden. This means when we built the garden we didn't dig the ground but put layers of straw, dirt, papers and compost to build up the garden."

Sally Skelton

"Our garden is pretty and has lots of food. We watch the plants grow really big and then we get to eat them."

Palmwoods State School
Question : Why do you love your school permaculture garden?
Mitch Smith

"We are helping the environment by composting and growing healthy food. We also grow food for the tuckshop."

Soul Cormick

"I like to see all the different insects that visit our garden that help our plants grow. I enjoy using the special hook and pole to get the passionfruits off the tennis court fence."

Jessica Lowes

"We pick lots of lettuces, silverbeet and herbs for the tuckshop. It's good our tuckshop has lots of fresh food."

Advertisement
 Powered by Max Banner Ads 

Related articles:

1. Rebel with a cause
2. Reconnecting with nature