News & Events

Elmwood Garden goes organic

Ottawa –  Elmwood School’s Grade 5 and 6 classes were involved in the construction and planting of four raised garden beds for Elmwood’s first “Edible Schoolyard.” A variety of organic vegetables were planted by the students in raised beds they helped build. Once harvested, these vegetables could be used in the school cafeteria or donated to local food banks.

Elmwood’s Grade 6 teacher Cheryl Tweedie was inspired to start the project when she saw a story on “60 Minutes” about a similar project undertaken in Berkley, CA.

The school is working in partnership with Canadian Organic Growers. The COG’s “Growing Up Organic” project secured government funding through the Trillium Foundation/Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and from the private sector through Bridgehead to construct and maintain community/school gardens.

This project has many links to Elmwood’s educational curriculum and co-curricular activities, including the International Baccalaureate Units of Inquiry in Science and Physical and Health Education, as well as the Environment Club.

The event attracted local media—Ms. Tweedie discussed the project via phone interview with Adrian Harewood on CBC Radio's "All in a Day". Stories also ran on the CBC and CTV 6 o'clock news, and CFRA Radio.