- School garden support (hands on, material and curriculum resources)
- Be an Associate Teacher (AT) for one of our B.Ed. students for an alternative “Garden-Based Learning” placement
- Ongoing professional development opportunities via community of practice
- Field trips & guest speakers
Developed by educators for educators.
Farm Lab was envisioned as a project to support teachers, both pre-service and in-service in school garden excellence. We believe that the garden is a natural and meaningful place in which deep learning may take place. However, there are many challenges preventing individual teachers and schools from fully realizing the potential of school gardens and food literacy programs. Together we are building a community of practice and professional learning including ongoing research, partnership development, resource sharing and much more.
Are you a teacher or educator in Simcoe-Muskoka interested in school gardens? If so, Farm Lab is for you. We are excited to connect and support you in hands-on, curriculum linked food and gardening-related activities in your school. We also offer a range of other opportunities including arranging for B.Ed. “alternative garden-based learning placements” to shadow you and support your school garden projects, and also professional development opportunities for you and your colleagues. We can also offer physical resources like seeds, pots, trays, etc… and link you with local community partners for additional support. Together we can create a plan for summer maintenance so that your school garden is thriving come fall and students, parents and community are proud to share the abundance as it is harvested.