Last month, in celebration the 10th anniversary of Fresh Roots’ first schoolyard farm, we held an Earth Day Birthday Bash on April 25, 2023 at the Vancouver Technical schoolyard farm, gathering together as a community where it all started.
Our hearts are full after a wonderful family-friendly reunion of old and new friends that have journeyed alongside us in this decade of schoolyard farms. A special thanks to our event sponsor, Orowheat, for helping us make the event accessible, as well as East Van MP Jenny Kwan, the Tiddley Morris Cove dancers, Marc Schutzbank, Malcolm Key, CityReach Care Society, Vancouver Urban Food Forest Foundation (VUFFF), Grandview-Woodlands Food Connection, and Farm to School BC for being part of our community and our event! A big shoutout to our staff and volunteers for engaging the community through storytelling, veggie stamping, boot tossing, farming, and community salad, especially to Chef Tasha, who leads the Total Education LunchLAB program, for making such a delicious cake for folks of all dietary backgrounds!
Finally, thank YOU for not only attending the event, but being part of our community in the last 10 years. To celebrate you and what we do together, here is the thoughtful poem shared by our former Executive Director, Marc Schutzbank, at the Earth Day Birthday Bash:
It’s been ten years since we planted first seeds
Before signed contracts and school board deeds
In that time when the board did ask
If we have cows – can we cut the grass?In turn thousands have come through this place
This community has nurtured this growing space;
Transforming classrooms, now nature informed
Outdoor learning, sun-kissed and warmedAnd as we celebrate this ten-year feat,
We honor the students who made it complete,
Who worked alongside their teachers and peers
And let’s not forget the staff, some who are here!May these gardens continue to thrive and grow,
Inspiring generations that come to know,
The value of nature, the beauty it brings
And the power of community to grow like spring.So let us celebrate this grand affair,
Empowering youth and food we can share!
With sunshine,
Fresh Roots
Check out THIS LINK to view our event photos on Facebook, taken by Whitney Tfankedjian Photography.