At the beginning of lunch hour on Nov. 2, the Sports field at Centre Wellington District High School had 14 neatly dug holes. By the time classes resumed, the school had its own apple orchard.
The idea belonged to Mark Sherman, of non-profit tree advocacy group NeighbourWoods on the Grand, and Centre Wellington culinary arts teacher and chef Chris Jess. Thanks to their work and that of the student council, the school’s environmental group, the Eco Rangers, the amnesty club and the social justice class, the idea became a reality.
With help from NeighbourWoods and its volunteers, about 20 high school students planted a source of local food, shade under which to eat their lunch, and an outdoor classroom of sorts where they can take care of their new trees, a resource in which the green technologies and culinary arts classes will benefit.
“Growing food on school grounds for a school-based program that’s already cooking food just makes a lot of sense,” Jess, “We’re talking about local food, so this doesn’t get any more local.”
The semi-dwarf Cortlands and Macintosh are also giving a nod to the agricultural heritage of the property that the school is built on, said Sherman.
Student planter Sarah Hennekens briefly stopped digging and said, “I just love this moment,” as she watched her classmates digging holes.
This was a special opportunity for NeighbourWoods and students to work together, and an important one too.
“I hope a few of these students that do the planting today will become the planters for the next generation, because many of us who have been planting are getting old,” said NeighbourWoods volunteer Ian Rankine with a chuckle.
Sherman agreed, “It’s really nice when you get to match up people who have an interest and people who have experience.” The students also appreciate the connection.
“This high school is fostering the next generation that may be a big population of this community,” said Hennekens, “When you get students involved in that community you’re letting them branch out and see what’s out there. You’re giving them confidence in the next years of their life when they don’t want to be passive citizens.”
NeighbourWoods applied for grants to make the project possible, two of which they received from the Fergus Horticultural Society and another from the Ontario Automotive Recyclers Association. The group will continue to play a role in the care of the trees, answering questions and guiding the students.
