Some teachers would say the best class is one full of students that are keen to learn.

Well thatB次元官网网址檚 exactly what Michelle Grenier has found with her new sustainability class at Belmont secondary, which she is watching blossom after only a month.

B次元官网网址淎 lot of that is student driven B次元官网网址� TheyB次元官网网址檙e concerned about the sustainability of the planet,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 definitely a long-term project.B次元官网网址�

The class of roughly a dozen has been busy learning the ins and outs of food production, while working to build raised garden beds outside the school. B次元官网网址淪ome of the kids have never held a drill before,B次元官网网址� Grenier said. B次元官网网址淭he startup is big, but weB次元官网网址檙e in it for the long haul.B次元官网网址�

Students are taught using a mix of hands-on assignments and theory lessons that cover everything from organic composting and different root systems to planting in general and saving seeds so the process can be repeated.

With a number of students nearing graduation, Grenier noted itB次元官网网址檚 a great way for them to learn how to grow some of their own food. B次元官网网址淔ood is expensive. If you enjoy the process, you can cut your grocery bill down.B次元官网网址�

But itB次元官网网址檚 also about teaching students to live in a more sustainable manner while building a sense of community. An element of the course teaches students about rain water collection and Grenier hopes theyB次元官网网址檒l be able to rig up a system that uses gravity and collected water to water their crops.

B次元官网网址淭he students are incredibly close after only about a month of digging in the dirt,B次元官网网址� she added.

While relatively new to the Sooke School District, Grenier has taught for 28 years and led a sustainability course in the Greater Victoria district for some time.

While the Belmont course is open to all grades, it is mostly made up of Grade 11 and 12 students due to timetable scheduling. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 just sort of how it panned out,B次元官网网址� she said, adding, B次元官网网址淚 was a little concerned the course wouldnB次元官网网址檛 run.B次元官网网址�

Despite the small size, the class is gaining attention from other students and Grenier is confident it will grow. She has big plans for the program and has applied for several grants to help cover costs.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檇 love to get a greenhouse on site,B次元官网网址� she said, noting it would help with plant starts as well as providng students a place to grow produce year round, not just some winter crops in the colder months.

The bank that overlooks the exterior basketball courts and rear playing fields is also school property and students have been working to clear the area of debris and invasive species. B次元官网网址淓ventually, weB次元官网网址檇 like to plant fruit trees on that slope,B次元官网网址� Grenier said. B次元官网网址淥ur vision is to be able to grow everything organic B次元官网网址� (But) the main objective is to get the school garden up and running.B次元官网网址�

The class is asking the community for help in donating tools or other garden equipment they may no longer need. While theyB次元官网网址檙e set for hand tools, Grenier said they could use larger rakes, shovels and empty containers for their plant starts.

B次元官网网址淲e (also) need a fence built for deer and whatnot,B次元官网网址� she said, adding that without it, putting plants in the ground could be rather futile. B次元官网网址淎nything would be appreciated.B次元官网网址�

Sustainability spreads through Belmont

With raised garden beds starting to take shape outside Belmont secondary, the schoolB次元官网网址檚 sustainability course is raising interest.

The project is quickly taking root and is branching into other areas of the school. Teacher Michelle Grenier is working with other staff on a plan to sell homegrown produce in the school and use it in classes that teach cooking.

The aim is to help educate more students about the process of getting food from field to plate. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e getting more interest, students are seeing us from their classroom windows,B次元官网网址� Grenier said.

In fact, students have come by while the students are outside working, to find out what theyB次元官网网址檙e doing.

One student was so impressed by the concept, he went home and told his parents about the project and it resulted in Langford-based PND Soil and Gravel donating soil for the new beds.

B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 huge,B次元官网网址� Grenier said, adding the garden is approximately 80 feet long by 65 feet wide.

But she didnB次元官网网址檛 just stop at growing relationships inside the school. Belmont has a First Nations Elder liaison who will help establish a dedicated healing garden in one of the beds.

She also approached the daycare in the schoolB次元官网网址檚 neighbourhood learning centre, whose operators jumped at the idea of being involved.

B次元官网网址淲e built two raised little ones for the daycare kids,B次元官网网址� Grenier said, joking that you have to start them young.

The garden itself will also act as an outdoor area where students and staff can gather, have their lunch or even utilize the space as an outdoor classroom.

katie@goldstreamgazette.com