I had one of the coolest experiences since becoming the LGT Coordinator two years ago. Well, I shouldn’t say that because most of my experiences in this position have been absolutely amazing, but this one really blew me away. I was visiting some of the schools in Prince Albert when a teacher at Holy Cross mentioned that St. Anne had grown “un aubergine!”, which is french for Eggplant, but is also called aubergine in Europe and other places of the world. I couldn’t believe it, I was shocked! I though we just gave those seeds to the teachers as fun experiments, but was not expecting them to actually grow large, have flowers, and most impressively, FRUIT, and lots of them!!
Here is a picture of their extraordinary eggplants! (they are white, however will turn a bright purple when mature).
Here is a great website that you can find more worms for your vermi-composting projects, OR, you can add your school as a supplier for worms for free advertising and use it as a fundraiser!
Spring comes earliest to gardeners! It’s time to germinate your ideas and seeds for the coming growing season. Join fellow garden enthusiasts at Saskatoon’s 12th Annual Seedy Saturday!
What: Seedy Saturday brings together people of all ages and experiences to collect and share their own open pollinated seed stock, and to encourage planting of heirloom varieties while learning about the importance of biodiversity and sustainability in the context of food gardening. Ten new exhibitors will join twenty others to highlight products and issues related to gardening, sustainable living and food security. The afternoon will also feature a knowledgeable group of speakers on subjects ranging from water-wise gardening techniques, tips to extend the season, issues that surround seed sovereignty and of course, how to save seeds. The SaskTel Mendel Art Caravan will be there to provide children’s art activities. There is free on-site childcare for pre-schoolers. CHEP showcases its commitment to good food with a nutritious and delicious lunch of vegetarian chili, salad, artisan breads for $2.00 or pay what you can. A list of exhibitors, presentation times, and special events are on the website www.chep.org.
Where: Princess Alexandra School, 210 Avenue H South
When: Saturday March 13, 2010
Cost: $2.00 Admission or pay what you can; $2.00 Lunch or pay what you can.
Attention Gardeners! Don’t forget that there is a seed exchange table. Contribute leftover seeds from last year, bring seeds to share that you saved from last year’s crop. We are also happy to accept old gardening magazines in bundles of 6 to add to our swap table. If you have extra time that day, we are still looking for volunteers - it’s such a great event you may want to stay all day! Please share the news with others.
We will be hosting a booth at Gardenscape from March 26th to March 28th in Saskatoon, SK and are looking for volunteers to help spread the word about our great school gardening programs Little Green Thumbs, and to unveil our new school gardening program GREENSCAPADES!
We are asking that volunteers commit to at least a 2 hour time slot during the following dates and times: Friday, 11 am - 10 pm; Saturday, 9 am- 8 pm; and Sunday, 11 am- 5 pm.
Volunteers will receive a day pass for the day they volunteer to the show ($10 value), a t-shirt, and a fun time with the Ag in the Classroom staff!
We are really encouraging teachers to come out and learn from the other exhibitors at Gardenscape.
We would also like to encourage the LGT schools to think of Gardenscape as a possibility for a class field trip ( Students 15 and under are FREE ), as there are many wonderful gardens on display, as well as the Live Butterfly Exhibit ($3 / person).
Dr. Doug Waterer from the University of Saskatchewan is speaking at 2:00 pm on Friday, March 26th about the Best Vegetables for the Home Gardener.
Another really cool feature of Gardenscape is the Plant Auction on Sunday at the Speakers Theatre at 6:30 pm.
Do you have an incredible Lesson Plan that you would like to share with the rest of the LGT Teachers? We would like to begin collecting lesson plans for LGT Teachers from LGT Teachers and have an amazing unveiling of them at the Teachers Workshop in 2010. We will also post them on the website as soon as they become available to us (ie: you send them in!)
Please submit your lesson plans in a style that is easy to follow. If possible, please include:
Your Name and School
Appropriate Grade Level
Objectives achieved with this lesson plan
Subjects covered
Materials required
Additional Resources (if available)
Lesson Instructions and Teacher Background info
Other information
Submit your Lesson Plans by June 1st, 2010 to be entered in the contest to win some wonderful AITC and LGT swag. You will recieve one entry into a draw per lesson plan submitted, and a draw will take place on June 3rd, 2010.
As Christmas is fast approaching, the Little Green Thumbs must add a few more things to the list of preparations before the holidays. In order to have a great garden growing when you return please ensure that the following checklist is taken care of prior to the last day of classes:
Ensure that all of your seedlings have been transplanted into the self-watering containers- they will dry out very quickly if you don’t!
Collect a 2 week supply of food for your worms and bury it deep at the bottom of the bins covered by paper and soil. They will be just fine munching away over the break.
Fill your self-watering containers with water and remember to fertilize.
Prune and stake plants that will grow large over the holiday.
Speak with your custodian to ensure the power will be on during the holiday.
Double check your timer to make sure it is working while you will be away.
Last but not least, prepare to have the best holiday season yet!
Happy Holidays
from the Little Green Thumbs program and Agriculture in the Classroom Sask!
On May 6th, 2009 Athabasca School hosted 4 other schools for a Celebration Event which included gardening and agriculture related sessions, lunch, and presentations with songs and skits. They also hosted special guests from Heifer International as well as the Minister of Environment, Honourable Nancy Heppner, the Minister of Education, Honourable Ken Krawetz, and the Minister of Agriculture, Honourable Bob Bjornerud. The students proudly showed off their Little Green Thumbs, and everyone had a fantastic time.
Honourable Bob Bjornerud and Honourable Nancy Heppner show off their Little Green Thumbs!
The teacher's hard work paid off when they were awarded Certificates for Excellence in Gardening! (L-R: Jean Wilson, Deana Kempel, Melissa McKechnie-Sullivan, Larry Bogdan and Adrianne Begg- Coordinator)
Students from Eyebrow, Avonlea, Athabasca and Robert Southey Schools
