School people get a taste for Agri Aware’s ‘Incredible Edibles’ final
More than 100,000 participating pupils have documented their farming adventure in growing diaries. Their stories are told through photographs, written accounts and classroom activities based on the Irish crops they have been cultivating since February.
Agri Aware chairman Mairead Lavery wished the thousands of participating pupils the very best of luck as they embark on the final stage of their farming adventure. “There’s an ever increasing focus on growing your own and I have no doubts that these children will carry that important trend forward for the next generation.”
Incredible Edibles Committee chairman Mike Neary, Bord Bia, said the pupils learned a valuable lesson through the Incredible Edibles programme on the important role fruit and vegetables play in a healthy, balanced diet.
Schools must submit their growing diaries by Friday for assessment. A dedicated judging panel consisting of Bord Bia, safefood, IFA, Teagasc and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food will choose 10 shortlisted schools from around the country.
These will attend a special awards ceremony in Dublin on June 25 and share more than €10,000 in educational funds.
A fruit and vegetable growing kit landed on the doorstep of every primary school nationwide in February containing seeds, compost, trays and pots, educational resources and an instructional DVD.
The kit allowed schools to grow crops of potato, strawberry, lettuce, cabbage and scallion. They were encouraged to register for hints and growing tips – 2,200 schools have done so.
Schools were challenged to grow the crops and document their farming adventure from February to June in a growing diary scrapbook.
