Food+Garden+Management+Plan

** History of the school grounds as a learning space ** Aquinas College has a tradition of using the grounds of the school as a learning space. Science students have assisted in the design and development of themed garden beds especially around such environmental issues as biodiversity and stormwater management and improving knowledge of the range of present day ecosystems in Australia including links to our ancient past in the dinosaur garden. Students have been involved in plant propagation of native grasses and pioneer plants and the planting of local indigenous species sourced from the local community indigenous plant nursery. Excess stock generated from within the school has on occasion been offered for sale to staff the proceeds of which have been used to finance more raw materials and to raise money for donation to school supported charities. Some science classes have worked on experimentation of factors affecting seed germination and followed this through to examination of the life cycle of plants. In particular tomato plants grown in a bed close to the science precinct during the later months of 2009 were still growing and bearing fruit throughout much of the early months of 2010 through watering over the summer break by the college caretaker. Students even prepared works of art in science classes as displays for the garden beds as a way of educating themselves and the broader school community and has helped them make connections with our earth that can only be achieved though such projects. VET building and design students constructed the Founders garden pergola. In the latter part of 2010 the area immediately north of the year 9 building was developed as a food garden and small garden at the eastern edge for planting out some science experiments which was complimentary to the food garden. Students involved, particularly VCAL classes prepared and planted out the beds but in most cases were unable to see the plants grow through the entirety of their life cycle due to the growing seasons not coinciding with the school term.
 * Aquinas College Development of Food Garden Management Plan 2011 **

**Current situation ** The garden area has some food in production which is being harvested but its destination is unknown when this report was done. It also contains two compost bins only one of which has composted material. The source of this composted waste appears to have been from food scraps as vegetable peelings and egg shells are still visible and these bins were in place throughout the second half of 2010. Presently these bins are accepting food scraps generated in the staff room and food technology. At the moment the Environment and Sustainability Coordinator ESC is managing the food scrap placement from the staffroom as this appears to be the system that was in place in 2010. This involves the use of eco bokashi (biological agents assisting decomposition) and associated bins to manage and treat the scraps before placing in the compost bin. The volume of food scraps generated from food technology appears to be too great for the black eco bokashi system that is in place in the staffroom. The success of the food scrap collection in the staffroom also suggests that the current system has limited capacity especially in a school with the number of staff at Aquinas. This is a good thing though as it means that food scraps are not going to land fill and this is a desirable outcome. The management of the food scraps is a daily task as the food needs to be removed from the staff room due to its tendency to quickly decompose and create unpleasant smells and is a source of decomposing organic waste. The current compost bin system is somewhat problematic due to the state of one of the existing bins as the lid is broken and keeps blowing away in the wind. This is constantly being returned. There also needs some consideration for vermin encroachment into an open compost system containing food scraps (or ones with no base as vermin can burrow under the sides of bins) and whilst this may be managed easily in a home environment without food scraps the need for a closed (fully enclosed bins) system of management is more appropriate. As the plants in the science area of the garden are dying they need removing for composting but the current bins are not suited for dealing with large corn stalks and bulk material unless this is broken down with a mulcher or a more substantial dedicated area is set aside for composting. General green waste management is also of concern due to the large volume of plant material likely to be generated by the garden beds and the size of the current compost bins. All of these developments have occurred over a number of years without a master plan of implementation but out of a growing need and enthusiasm of staff supported financially by special grants from a separate sustainability budget or out of subject faculty funds.

**Moving ahead in 2011 **

**The vision ** The vision for 2011 appears to be to integrate some of the course requirements of the food technology and science faculties with the food production garden which will expand under the day to day management by the VCAL classes. The food garden provides an open space for the production of food and to contribute to the development of learning about sustainable urban environments. It is a place for learning and sharing about sustainable living practices, and for actively building community through shared activities.

**Meetings ** A meeting has been planned to begin discussions with the food tech staff and currently Andrew Russell and the ESC are investigating a more manageable compost bin system (rotating above ground type). This bin could be located close to the food tech area as it will service both the staff room and the food tech classes. Waste generated from here can then be incorporated into the food garden. Dawn will be invited but may well be prepared to let the ESC represent the science faculty due to the nature of the teaching allotment.

**Management planning group ** ESC- John Cull; VCAL Co-ordinator Andrew Russell; Technology Co-ordinator Beth Redman; Science Co-ordinator – Dawn Aitken; Michael Box – Deputy Principal learning <span style="font-family: 'ArialMT','sans-serif'; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Student representative to be decided

<span style="font-family: 'ArialMT','sans-serif'; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">The next stage is to formulate a **management plan** that aims to help facilitate the vision of the food garden. Below is a basic outline of the management plan for 2011.

//**<span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">Aquinas Food Garden - Management Plan 2011 **// ** Types of plants ** As well as the readily available crops available for food production the garden should also allow for the planting of unusual and endangered varieties and the option for the development of a //Bush Tucker Garden// to raise the awareness of local indigenous culture and to educate students on sustainable eco-systems. ** Management of the food garden ** Primarily the day to day management of the garden will initially be by the year 10 VCAL students and year 10 science students in Introduction to Environmental Science on a //as needs// basis under the direction of staff in these areas. If other faculties or year levels have a project then consideration needs to be made and an assessment will be made by the ESC on behalf of the food garden management group after due consultation. The responsibilities of the students in the various classes will include physical works, maintenance and administration of the site. This will involve analysis of the needs of the garden beds in terms of soil treatment, plant selection, weed management and nutrient application. Where possible, consultation will occur around integrating food production with the needs of the Food technology department. This will enable produce from the gardens to be used in Food technology classes. Processes and systems used in the production should be incorporated as much as possible into classes on sustainability in the science and technology faculties. Opportunities to have “sustaina” bees for the wider community being involved in the food garden should also be explored. ** Financial support ** Ongoing financial support of the project will be sourced from: · sponsors – physical structures, financial support, in kind hours from the broader community · grants – financial support for specific works or projects by submission <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">The food production garden is used to further existing curriculum or projects i.e. school environmental curriculums, artist groups ** Environmental sustainability ** The garden project is mindful and considerate of its environmental impact on the surrounding area and the wider community. It is for these reasons that the garden will The group will also contain, or omit from the plans, any plants that may be likely to be considered weedy and spread to nearby gardens eg mint, lemon balm which can easily spread. ** Composting of green waste ** Green waste from the food garden will need to be processed and prepared into suitable compost material for reuse into the garden bed in an endeavour to achieve sustainability goals. Small volume waste can be immediately added to the bin composting system that prevents vermin invasion. Food scraps generated from produce derived from the garden needs to be returned via composting. Other food scraps can also be incorporating as a way of effectively dealing with waste generated by food technology classes. A green waste system that uses plant material from other sources in the College to generate compost should also be incorporated into the garden beds to eliminate the need to fertilise the beds. This broader composting system that is part of the vision of a reduced green waste may be developed at a later stage as the food garden develops.
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tabstops: list 36.0pt; tabstops: list 36.0pt;">sales – sale of produce from the project
 * <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 11pt;">Participation and wider school community engagement **
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tabstops: list 36.0pt; tabstops: list 36.0pt;">be organic or as free from pesticides as possible
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri; line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; tabstops: list 36.0pt; tabstops: list 36.0pt;">follow sustainable principles ie. Permaculture.