Students flock to Farm My School

THE community impact of the Farm My School pilot program is continuing to rapidly expand, with schools from across the region visiting the regenerative farm to gain hands-on experience in environmental stewardship and sustainability.

A $25,000 partnership with Barwon Water has supported Farm My School to establish a comprehensive education program for local schools, with the program already facilitating visits for students from seven different schools.

Farm My School co-founder and director James McLennan said he was excited by the ongoing possibilities and community impact of the program.

“The Farm My School concept is to transform unused land within schools into regenerative market gardens that feed, educate and connect communities,” he said.

“Our education program aims to extend our reach, creating hands-on learning experiences that stimulate critical thinking about food systems, regenerative farming, sustainability and health.”

Students visiting the Farm My School site at Bellarine Secondary College have gained a practical understanding of soil health, composting and efficient watering practices from the experience, helping to equip them with valuable knowledge for the future.

Barwon Valley School teacher Michael Nelson praised the initiative.

“Our students were thrilled to witness a sustainable food production system at scale,” he said.

“The Farm My School team provided an engaging and sensory lesson on worms, and our students learned how to build a worm hotel.

“The smiles and laughs showed how excited they were to learn and connect with each other, the Farm My School team, and their environment.”

Barwon Water education advisor Fernando Garcia said the Farm My School program was a fantastic way for students to reconnect with the land and water that helps grow their food.

“By being involved in planting, tending to, and harvesting crops, students develop a deeper connection to the food they eat and the environment it comes from,” he said.

The $25,000 grant from Barwon Water is complemented by $15,000 in seed funding, provided to Farm My School by the regional water corporation back in 2022.

The funds assisted the Farm My School team to install a state-of-the-art, water-efficient irrigation system at its Drysdale site.

For more information about the Farm My School program, head to farmmyschool.com