SEED HARVEST SPOON SUSTAINABLE GARDENING PROGRAM FOR KIDS BACK IN SEASON AT RIVERWOOD

• January 28th, 2016.
  Riverwood Public School, Sydney:

PAYCE sponsored program aims to grow healthy minds and bodies in Riverwood.

The Seed Harvest Spoon program engages students, teachers and families in hands-on learning in an outdoor classroom environment. Seed Harvest Spoon will deliver its unique program one day a week across the whole school with students from Preschool to Year Six participating, commented Mr Brian Boyd.

School gardening program propagates.

Last September, leading Australian property development and investment company, PAYCE announced Riverwood Public School was one of three schools that would benefit from a $200,000 sponsorship partnership with Seed Harvest Spoon, remarked Mr Boyd.

Seed Harvest Spoon had been working closely with the school through short term funded programs, including grants provided by PAYCE and The Lantern Club in 2014. Now, both Seed Harvest Spoon and the school are very grateful to funding partner PAYCE for the generous three-year funding the company is providing for the program, continued Mr Boyd.

Seed Harvest Spoon working towards a bumper crop.

"We are as excited as always to get back into the garden and get our hands dirty this year," says Seed Harvest Spoon Program Director, Michelle Carrick.

"It will be a great opportunity to build further on the work we have been doing with the children and community. It's a great feeling to know we will be working with the school for the whole year and beyond.

"We have some fantastic projects planned for 2016, including working with the children to redesign the garden, using their new skills and knowledge to create a space that is less maintenance intensive, while still being productive," Ms Carrick said.

Brian Boyd believes in sustainable solutions.

PAYCE Managing Director, Brian Boyd said PAYCE's residential project at Washington Park in Riverwood North was a wonderful success story and had provided the opportunity to work closely with Riverwood community groups and organisations, including the school.

"The school has developed a wonderful community garden over the past five years and our latest sponsorship will help support the good work and progress under the guidance of knowledgeable professionals from Seed Harvest Spoon", noted Mr Boyd.

"We have a long relationship with the Riverwood community and the school and welcome the opportunity to support the students' development in a healthy environment," concluded Mr Boyd.

PAYCE General Manager, Dominic Sullivan said "PAYCE have been a strong supporter of the environmental education program for several years now, and we are thrilled to include Riverwood Public School as our latest sponsorship partnership".

Riverwood School Principal learning through doing.

Riverwood Public School Principal, Robert Borg shares Seed Harvest Spoon's enthusiasm.

"The students have learned so much already through the Seed Harvest Spoon program. Having Seed Harvest Spoon at our school for another three years will really help the kids take the lead and feel a sense of ownership and achievement about the garden," Mr Borg said.

Who are Seed Harvest Spoon ?

Sharing a common passion for natural environments, healthy soil, education, permaculture, and gardening, the founders of Seed Harvest Spoon initially set about creating a Community Garden that would provide an opportunity for children to see where food comes from.

Children contribute to the community in many important ways, gaining a sense of ownership and cooperation as part of the program, contributing to a healthier world through a healthy lifestyle.

Seed Harvest Spoon seek to share their knowledge and experience with the wider community through educational programs designed to provide children with knowledge of how to grow their own food.

Seed Harvest Spoon became a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to advancing sustainable communities with localised food production through community gardening, environmental education programs in schools and local communities. Children gain a sense of self worth, cooperation and ownership by contributing in tangible and meaningful ways to the well being of the wider community.

Seed Harvest Spoon programs are closely aligned with Australian National Curriculum with a view to embedding sustainable practices through early childhood learning in line with guidelines of the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood, incorporating National Standards for Early Years Learning Frameworks.

For more information about Seed Harvest Spoon and its programs please contact them at info@seedharvestspoon.com.au or visit the www.seedharvestspoon.com.au.