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A School Food Garden Program from logosmallest.gif (1365 bytes)
    
Please click on the links below to find out more about School Food Gardens
    
"POCKET SIZED FARMS" is LIFE*SPIN's nickname for small areas of school property that are used to grow soft fruits, vegetables and other plants.  More than just gardens, these mini-farms can become a source of healthy, nutritious food, an opportunity for environmental restoration and a well of inspiration for children, teachers and parents.
     School yards are an amazing land resource but, unfortunately, these spaces are often under used or neglected.  It is our goal to fully utilize these spaces to help improve the health and education of our children and to create ecologically-rich and diverse school yards.
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WHO BENEFITS?
Children:  The "Pocket-sized Farms" program is specifically designed to benefit children by allowing them to meet some of their own nutritional, learning, and health needs.  This is achieved in a setting that promotes healthy eating, learning-by-doing, teamwork, and an active lifestyle.
Teachers: Educators benefit by gaining access to a practical teaching tool which allows elements of the curriculum to be taught in innovative, exciting ways.
Parents: We encourage parents to participate in this project that helps them assure good health, education, and nutrition for their children.  We have noticed that children who grow their own fruit and vegetables are keen to experiment with foods they otherwise would not try.
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SEE HOW GREEN OUR GARDEN'S GROW
     Many children, parents, and teachers want more from school yards than just grass and untidy perennials.  With our help you can plan beautiful organic gardens for your schools.  Children can select their favourite vegetables, fruits, and herbs and use organic gardening techniques to grow highly nutritious food in small spaces
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MISSION
     "Pocket-Sized Farms" mission is to combat child hunger, improve child health and create innovative educational opportunities.
     This will be achieved by utilizing the combined skills of children, teachers, parents, and school neighbourhoods to grow organic food gardens on school yards.
     These gardens will provide a stable source of food, learning, and skills development for children.
HOW LIFE*SPIN CAN ASSIST
     (i)  helping you plan and organize
     (ii)  providing workshops/training
     (iii)  providing books for teachers, parents and children
     (iv)  networking with other school gardens
     (v)  providing for tools, materials, seeds, etc.
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If you are interested in Pocket-Sized Farming at your school or if you want to volunteer then please email LIFE*SPIN at life@execulink.com  Please make the subject field read: Pocket-Sized Farms - orders.

     LIFE*SPIN - "Pocket-Sized Farms"
PO BOX 2801, London, On.
N6A 4H4
Tel: (519) 438-8676 Ext. 35
Fax: (519) 438-7983
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A Package of materials to assist in developing a pocket-sized farm is available. Click here to print out an order form for the Pocket Sized Farms Kid's Garden Book or the Teacher's and Parent's Guide to organic Gardening.
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"Pocket-Sized Farms" is made possible through donations.
    
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LIFE*SPIN PO BOX 2801 Station A, London, Ont. N6A 4H4 Tel (519) 438-8676 Fax (519) 438-7983