Witset Elementary's garden blossoms into a community treasure

For the past six years, the students, staff, and community of Witset Elementary School, Witset, BC, have been cultivating more than just plants. What began as a modest garden project on a hillside behind the school has blossomed into a vibrant space for education, community building, and sustainable living.

Thanks to the dedication of various contributors, the garden now boasts terraced beds, a new greenhouse, and a tool shed. With generous support from a grant and community donations, including rough cut lumber from Seaton Forest Products and skilled labor from a local volunteer, the garden has transformed into a bountiful haven.

Despite its success, the garden faced challenges, particularly with water supply. With no nearby water source and frequent water shortages, maintaining the garden usually involved running hoses for 300 feet. With the financial support from the Plant a Seed & See What Grows Foundation in partnership with Nature's Pantry health food store, Smithers, BC, the school was able to install a water spigot and dripline system, alongside a rain collection system, to ensure sustainable watering practices in the increasingly dry summers.

This initiative has not only provided fresh produce for the school and community but also enriched the primary summer school program, which harvested and distributed food to the health center, band office, and various workshops. This year, students are engaged in harvesting, preserving, and cooking activities, making fresh salsa and spaghetti sauce to enjoy and share.

Ali Howard, co-owner of Nature’s Pantry, a proud local supporter of the garden, emphasizes the initiative’s value. “We are happy to provide support to programs in our community, especially ones that either involve youth or are focused on local food production, and this initiative does both.”

Angie Gagnon, education assistant, Witset Elementary School added, “the school’s growing space provides precious opportunities for both learning and healing. We are grateful for the support from Plant a Seed Foundation and Nature’s Pantry. This helped us make the space more sustainable for future years of growing and lifelong learning.”

The Witset Elementary School garden stands as a testament to what can be achieved through community effort and dedication, offering a nurturing space where education and sustainability flourish side by side.