Ten years ago, Linda Peterat co-founded the ‘Intergenerational Landed Learning’ Program at Vancouver’s UBC Farm. When she retired to Vernon four years ago, she shared her program with those at the Okanagan Science Centre. ‘Intergenerational Learning’ is the creation of opportunities where knowledge and skills are passed on from one generation to another. Linda Peterat’s term ‘Landed Learning’ can be thought of as wisdom that comes from the land. The overall goals of her program are: to provide students with an education about the environment by working with soil and plants; to transfer learning and knowledge across generations; and finally, to understand that we are all part of a larger, interconnected eco-system.
At the Okanagan Science Centre (OSC) in Vernon, approximately 10 experienced gardeners and one Master Gardener In-Training meet bi-weekly as ‘Garden Friends’ to work with Grade Four students at St. James School. ‘Garden Friends’ are facilitators who help students learn about soil, botany, as well as practical aspects of planting seeds and growing vegetables and flowers. During each group session, a food topic is also presented that relates to the gardening topic of the day: some examples are seeds, sprouts, and edible early spring greens. For the students, sampling the various plant foods during the lesson is truly a highlight.
Students happily fill their raised beds with newly sprouted seeds and transplanted seedlings. The beds are located outside the OSC building and require tending by the students until the end of the school year in June. In September, when everyone returns to the gardens, a wonderful fall harvest takes place and both students and ‘Garden Friends’ enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of their labour. Such is sweet success for a future generation of avid gardeners!
Lisa McCarthy
Master Gardener in Training, Okanagan Chapter
