By Fahima Mohibi, Day Camp Staff

In this blog post, I’ll share my exciting summer job experience at Fresh Roots, a local organization that focuses on food education and urban farming. Their commitment to developing healthy relationships with food, sustainable farming methods, and experiential learning to empower young people.

Fresh Roots camp is an incredible experience that combines fun, learning, and connection with nature. As a staff member at Fresh Roots Camp, my responsibilities included primarily responsible for implementing camp programming, engaging kids in fun and educational activities, plan activities and create or acquire program materials, ensuring their safety, assisting with garden maintenance, facilitating educational and recreational programs, and fostering a positive and inclusive environment for all the campers.

Working with kids is fun and I love it that no single day at Fresh Roots is the same. Every day we have different schedule and different activities. Every week you will be having different group of kids and from different age. Everyday was filled with exciting activities like arts and crafts, sports, nature exploration, and field trips every week. Cooking once a week and making snack from our garden. Being around kids inspires and energises me, especially when I get to see the world from their perspective and indulge their curiosities alongside them. I admire children’s, honesty, creativity, endless energy, resilience, kindness.

What did I learn from my summer?

Working with children is incredibly fulfilling and a fantastic method to gain important knowledge. I’ve learned a lot about childcare from growing up in a large family, including the specific attention that needs to be given to foster effective communication and balanced respect for one another. And many other valuable skills such as communication and leadership skills, enhance problem-solving abilities, and improve my patience and adaptability and I gain a deeper understanding of child development. I learn to work as part of a team and cultivate a sense of empathy and compassion.

How do I see it influencing my career path or future goals?

Working in a summer camp with kids can have a positive impact on my career path or future goals as I want to be a law enforcement officer. It helped me to develop essential skills like effective communication, conflict resolution, and problem-solving, which are crucial in law enforcement. Working with children can enhance my ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds and build trust within communities. Overall, the experience can provide valuable insights and skills that can contribute to my success in a career in law enforcement.

What is the impact of Fresh Roots on the community?

Fresh Roots has a big impact on the community! They bring people together teach about sustainable farming and provide access to healthy food. They also create opportunities for volunteering and organizing events. Overall Fresh Roots helps build stronger and more resilient communities.

Lasting Memories

It’s a job that’s full of laughter, adventure, and the chance to make a difference. Amazing summer with the little ones.  I loved seeing the kids’ faces light up with joy and hearing their laughter. It was so rewarding to be a part of their summer adventures and watch them grow and learn new things. Plus, the friendships I made with both the kids and the fellow colleagues were priceless. It was definitely a summer to remember.

JOIN THE TEAM: 

Want to join our team? Job opportunities are open now: https://freshroots.ca/about/job-opportunities/

By Jia Qiao, Experiential Learning Community Educator – UBC Career Experience Practicum

Hello, my name is Jia Qiao, I am a graduate student at UBC studying the Adult Learning and Education program. This winter term, I am enrolled in the practicum course LFS 496 with Fresh Roots, working as the Experiential Learning Community Educator. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work on the farm and engage with various groups of students, teachers from different schools in Vancouver, and the Fresh Roots team!

As the 4-month work placement comes to an end, much like the farm winding down for winter, I reflect on the diverse activities I have been involved in over the past few months. One highlight has been supporting field trips for students of varying age groups, from kindergarteners to high schoolers. Witnessing students visit the farm in all weather conditions, be it warm and sunny or chilly and rainy, has been truly remarkable. Engaging with them in various farm activities, such as weeding and resurfacing walking paths with wood chips, has been a fulfilling experience. Many students, experiencing farm work for the first time, embraced the opportunity to get their hands and clothes dirty, proud to be considered real farmers.

Through collaborating with their classmates during the farm work, kids experienced both the joy and challenges of working together, as each individual thinks and works differently. For example, there was a time when I worked with a group of elementary school kids to prepare the farm beds for winter by covering them with leaves. From the outset, the group encountered some disputes over their roles—determining who would be responsible for raking leaves into piles, while others carried the leaves with a wheelbarrow and dumped them on the beds. Throughout the working process, some students were goal-oriented and tried different ways to efficiently complete their tasks, while others took their time and engaged in playful interactions with the leaves. Despite these differences in approach, all team members eventually experienced a sense of fulfillment when the entire farm bed was covered by a beautiful blanket of leaves!

I also enjoyed organizing scavenger hunt activities with children, allowing them to explore the signs of the fall season on the farm. As the kids marched out to the farm, they eagerly kept their eyes wide open to observe all the indications of fall. They listened intently, their ears tuned to the sounds of crows and other animals gathering food. Their excitement peaked when they discovered spiders diligently weaving webs in the tea garden. The joy and enthusiasm displayed by the children during these activities added a delightful dimension to the exploration of nature’s wonders on the farm.

 Since the beginning of November, I have been assisting Andrea, who is the Experiential Learning Program Lead at Fresh Roots, with the school garden and food programming at Grandview ¿uuqinak’uuh Elementary School. One particularly memorable experience was coordinating a waffle party with the class, a successful event made possible by Andrea’s significant planning and preparation ahead of the big day. Despite Andrea’s efforts, I couldn’t help but wonder if we could successfully manage it with a class of about 15 students!

To streamline the process, the entire class was divided into three small groups: the dry ingredient group, the wet ingredient group, and the cooking group. Each group executed their part based on a recipe assigned to them. For most students, making waffles was a novel experience, and they were thrilled to try different tools and experiment with various ingredients. Though the tables ended up in a bit of a mess, the true magic unfolded when students, seated together at a table, joyfully savoured the delicious waffles they had each contributed to making. Witnessing how different pieces seamlessly came together was truly amazing and exemplified the transformative power of teamwork.

Reflecting on my work placement at the farm and its relevance to my graduate studies in Adult Learning and Education, I am reminded of the learning theories discussed in my classes. These theories underscore the idea that all learning practices are inherently both material and social, or socio-material. In this context, the environment, other animals, objects, and artifacts are viewed as integral to the enactment of human existence and social life, rather than merely background context or tools (Fenwick & Edwards, 2013). The farm, in this case, is considered a crucial component of human existence and a mediator of learning.

Farms are great pedagogical sites for both youth and adult learning. They offer spaces for learning not only about gardening and local ecological conditions but also about sustainability, the decolonization of place, and participatory democracy (Levkoe, 2006; Mundel & Chapman, 2010). Additionally, farms function as “therapeutic landscapes” that contribute to physical, mental, and cultural well-being, increasingly integrated into healthcare and other healing practices (Pitt, 2014; Wilson, 2003). Common activities such as farming foster deep relationships and mutual learning processes within practices.

Beyond academic insights, I have gleaned invaluable life lessons from my engagement in farm work, and the ability to adapt to and embrace changes and uncertainties. Our lives, like the life cycle of a farm, traverse different seasons – a season to sow, a season to grow, a season to harvest, and a season to rest. As with the farm, our lives undergo various phases, and I aspire to possess the wisdom, courage, and patience necessary to navigate through these different seasons in life. Finally, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Fresh Roots team, with special thanks to Kat, Andrea, and Vivian, for providing me with the opportunity to work with them and enriching my work placement experience!

A Big Thank You to Jia! ?

Jia spent September – December 2023 with Fresh Roots, helping make hands-on learning outside a reality on our schoolyard farms and Grandview ¿uuqinak’uuh Elementary School garden. Jia reminded us to marvel at small and large changes on the farm as the seasons changed. She always brought joy, curiosity and enthusiasm with her to the often hectic and rainy realities of teaching on a schoolyard farm. Thank you to Jia for being up for new experiences and so beautifully balancing the priorities between being a student, mom, and volunteer. We are looking forward to seeing where life takes you next!

By Jindi Tao, Experiential Learning Community Educator – UBC Career Experience Practicum

At Grandview¿uuqinak’uuh Elementary School, when late autumn comes and the flowers are gone, kids could brighten up the Grandview school garden with this cool Halloween decoration. Using just paper towels, horse chestnuts, pinecones and string, they make all sorts of Halloween stuff like spiders, ghosts and webs. It’s a great garden activity that helps kids develop skills like organizing, leading, being creative, and communicating in a team.  

Welcoming Halloween to the Garden

What’s really interesting is seeing how different each spider web turns out. Like, there’s one spider web on the right side of the picture, made by a kid who used her own ideas to weave a round web. It really shows her style and independence. Then, there’s another web on the left, made by a group of kids working together. They had to chat, share ideas, sort out any disagreements, and collaborate to make it. These Halloween decorations do more than just make our garden look cool; they’re awesome for boosting creativity, social skills, learning new stuff, and keeping everyone interested.

Pumpkin Decomposing

As we turned the pages of our nature storybook, the kids learned about nature’s own recycling process. They learned that what seems like just waste, such as fallen leaves, food scraps, pumpkins, and grass cuttings, is really a feast for tiny, often unseen decomposers. These little guys, like fungi and bacteria, work hard to turn our ‘trash’ into rich compost. It’s a fascinating way to see how ‘trash’ becomes a treasure for the earth, teaching us about the importance of every part of our ecosystem and the awesome self-sustaining system of nature. 

By recycling the pumpkin as a compost ingredient, the kids can use their four senses to observe the decomposer process of the pumpkin. They started by smelling the fresh pumpkin scent around the farm. Over time, they can see how a whole yellow pumpkin is slowly degraded into brown dirt. When they broke the pumpkin with a small shovel, they could hear the crack and felt its hard shell. The coolest part was finding pumpkin seeds during the process. This discovery led them to save the seeds and even plant some. This activity was more than just fun post-Halloween composting, it was a great way to engage the kids in learning about gardening without wasting food.

Planting Spring Bulbs

As the gardening year comes to a close at Grandview Garden, our late autumn efforts focus on planning ahead and working out what we want to grow in the next season. We’ve recently planted Camas Bulbs, known for their late blooming and delicious taste when cooked. These bulbs, which can be boiled, mashed, or roasted, offer a sweet flavor reminiscent of roasted pears or sweet chestnuts. For the kids, it’s an exciting journey from planting to harvesting. They’re thrilled to see their efforts culminate in delicious, edible results. This process not only teaches them about the cycle of growth but also instills a sense of pride and accomplishment. Watching these bulbs grow and eventually enjoying their sweet taste is a wonderful way for children to connect with nature and understand the importance of nurturing and caring for the environment. It’s a hands-on experience that enriches their knowledge and appreciation for gardening and healthy eating, as they learn the magic of growing and eating what they’ve planted.

A Big Thank You to Jindi! ?

Jindi spent September – December 2023 with Fresh Roots, helping make hands-on learning outside a reality on our schoolyard farms and Grandview ¿uuqinak’uuh Elementary School garden. She dove fully in, learning about native food and medicinal plants, developing new learning activities for the students, and cooking with them. Thank you Jindi, for sharing your knowledge with all of us at Grandview ¿uuqinak’uuh and being willing to constantly try something new, whether it was making salves, rotting pumpkins, or roasting sunchokes.  We look forward to seeing where you go next – Andrea, Experiential Learning Program Lead

By Jindi Tao, Experiential Learning Community Educator – UBC Career Experience Practicum

Hi everyone! I’m Jindi, a fourth-year student in Food, Nutrition, and Health at UBC’s Faculty of Land and Food System. Super excited to be volunteering with Fresh Roots this fall as an Experiential Learning Community Educator! During this experience, I’ve boosted key soft skills like public speaking, facilitation, group management, experiential activity planning, and digital design. These skills are super versatile for any future job path. They’ve played a significant role in my practicum, allowing me to apply my academic learning in real-world scenarios and enhancing my understanding of how farm-based community education connects people with their food, the land, and their communities. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity. It has not only provided me with a comprehensive insight into the professional world but also initiated my network building, meeting new folks, and figuring out my plans for graduate studies, all while growing more confident. I’m eager to share the work I’ve done in preparing for our school’s spring field trip to the farm.

Improving Soil Health and Preparing Pathways

When we make a new garden, we want good, loose soil that is not full of grass or other roots. This late autumn, we’ve used a lot of leaves and straw to raise our bed. These straws are rich in carbon and are the key element for healthy soil. As these materials decompose, they gradually release nutrients back into the soil, enhancing its fertility. Also, we’ve been putting down cardboard sheets over the grass. It’s a cool, organic way to naturally block the grass, which eventually dies off in a few weeks. Also, the cardboard breaks down and mixes into the soil after a while. After that, we’ve got ourselves a clean, soft path, and even better, it will be a future boost for the soil’s health.

Recycling Nutrients

Mulching with leaves is a cool trick we use to improve the soil’s health. The kids, as young gardeners, get hands-on with mulching in their garden beds, learning how it fertilizes the soil with resilient materials. At Grandview ¿uuqinak’uuh Elementary School garden, we’ve got this awesome worm hotel that shows perfectly how yellow leaves gradually become brown dirt. This hands-on experience not only teaches them about soil health but also about the natural cycle of decomposition. It’s a practical lesson in sustainability and ecology, helping them understand the importance of organic matter in gardening. Mulching with leaves provides organic nutrients to the soil bed so the earthworms will be happy! It’s a fun way for kids to connect with nature and see the direct impact of their efforts in the garden. 

Making Medicinal Salves

With early winter rolling in, we shifted from the school garden to indoor activities. One awesome project was making salves with dried plants from our native plant garden. We gathered fresh yarrow and plantain from the Norquay garden, throwing in some dried nettles and sage, to whip up healing lip balms. These balms form a protective layer on the lips, locking in moisture and shielding them from harsh weather. This activity not only taught me about native plants’ medical functions but also about making useful, natural products. I got to experience the full cycle, from picking the plants to creating something beneficial and practical. It’s a great blend of science, craft, and health, engaging them in a unique, hands-on learning experience and sparking their interest in natural remedies and sustainable practices.

A Big Thank You to Jindi! ❤️

Jindi spent September – December 2023 with Fresh Roots, helping make hands-on learning outside a reality at our schoolyard farms and Grandview ¿uuqinak’uuh Elementary School garden. With the transition to colder months, Jindi assisted the team with developing new lesson plans, teaching kids how to cook, and sharing our stories with the community, like in this blog. Thank you Jindi, for your curiosity, imagination, and connections with the students every step of the way! We look forward to seeing where you go next – Andrea, Experiential Learning Program Lead

By Crystal Mai, Community Education Facilitator

Hello everyone! My name is Crystal, and I’m entering my fourth year and studying Food, Nutrition, and Health at the Faculty of Land and Food Systems at UBC. I am very grateful for the opportunity to volunteer with Fresh Roots this summer – learn more about me in my previous blog about the Norquay Sharing Garden. I’m very excited to take you on a virtual tour of our field trip today!

Fresh Roots field trips allow students to embrace the farm and nature in an outdoor classroom setting. Through the 2-hour-field trip, students will be engaged with a farm work experience and taste farm-fresh veggies when available, and the benefits are more than beyond. 

Youth connection with the food, the land, and each other

Educating youth about the origins of their food can take numerous forms, ranging from essential agricultural work to fun tasting journeys. All of these activities benefit youth by teaching them the importance of nutritious fresh food and boosting their food literacy skills. 

Food literacy skills gained from our field trips contribute to youth food security by achieving the food planting and utilization dimensions. I hope to educate youth on essential farming skills, sustainable food selection and eating behaviours, and long-term food budget-stretching by improving food literacy.

Youth Development Through Agriculture

By using urban schoolyard farms as classrooms, youth can connect and learn about food and the food system on a practical level, while introducing them to urban farming as a means to improve local food security. Alongside the food and farm work, students will also gain critical thinking, public speaking, and leadership skills. 

Let’s take a virtual tour of one of our field trip sessions at David Thompson secondary schoolyard farm. The MicroFarm on June 10 was one of the most enjoyable sessions I’ve ever hosted, as we had a group of lovely kindergarteners joining. 

Activity 1- Tiny Treasures Hunting 

Our students explored the farm and collected 12 small objects in an egg carton to closely observe the farm’s tiny plants. This activity taught children about the various types of plants that grow on the farm and allowed them to compare and contrast their textures. 

Activity 2- Tasting Journey 

Students got to taste the seasonal foods growing on the farm, such as radishes, sweet chards, and sage flowers. With the tasting, students better understood the concept of seasonal food, sustainable food selection, and how an urban farm is cultivated to nourish the community.

Activity 3- Tiny Creatures Hunting 

By digging in the soil, children explored and learned about different tiny friends living on the farm, such as worms, rolly-pollies, ladybugs, and spiders, while understanding how they interact with and contribute to the farming. 

Activity 4- Design a Mini Farm

Students were given wood pieces, strings, rocks, and plants to build their own mini-farms to strengthen their understanding of how each portion of the farm interacts with one another and the ecosystem as a whole.    

SUMMER DAY CAMPS & FALL FIELD TRIPS – COMING SOON!

We would love for you to join us on the schoolyard farms!

Spots are still available for selected camps, check out the webpage for more information: https://freshroots.ca/education/camp/

More field trip sessions will be coming back in fall, stay tuned on the website: https://freshroots.ca/education/field-trips/