Children from Scoil An Chlochair, Kilbeggan reaped the fruits of their labour when they were presented with an award at the final of Agri Aware’s Incredible Edibles growing challenge recently.
The students were presented with a prize of €800 in educational funds by Minister for Food and Horticulture, Trevor Sargent, as runners up in the special needs category.
Growing diaries (scrapbooks ) of all shapes and sizes were prepared by the group, documenting the nutritional and horticultural knowledge gained over the course of the project.
Ten schools relayed the highlights of their farming quest with poetry, drama, and a host of other activities including a mini-election at the awards ceremony held at UCD.
The schools farmed five Irish crops of potatoes, lettuces, cabbages, scallions, and strawberries in their classrooms. Creativity blossomed with growing diaries including fruit and vegetable recipes; science experiments; arts and crafts and photographic accounts of farm tours.
In his opening speech, Minister for Food and Horticulture, Trevor Sargent, thanked all who sponsored, organised and took part in the Incredible Edibles challenge.
“Over 2,000 schools, two in three of all primary schools, now have a greater appreciation of growing food. I encourage all involved to keep developing their food growing skills and remember to be sure they stay healthy by eating at least five portions of fruit and veg every day,” he said.
