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Growing Young Farmers at Sandown

We work with The Growing Young Farmers’ Society to develop hands-on, outdoor education programs for school children, from Pre-School to Highschool.

Since Spring 2024, Sandown has welcomed class field trips to the farm, where students can learn about soil and plant life, food systems, environmental restoration and regenerative food production. 

We offer a range of activities in our teaching gardens that is suitable for all ages and seasons. We offer this program for $75/hr and tailor the field trip length to your needs. We also offer to cover the cost of transportation should fees be a barrier for you. Please reach out if you have any questions, or fill out the booking form below. 

Thank you to the Victoria Foundation, TD Friends of the Environment, and Saanich Peninsula Community Foundation for supporting this work!

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“The program is providing the students with a sense of physical and emotional well-being for life, and they are having fun!”

— Cathy Afford, retired teacher

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"Harvesting not only provides the children with a hands-on learning opportunity but also allows them to engage in healthy eating habits." 

— Kristi Norberg, owner/operator, In The Garden Daycare

About The Growing Young Farmers Society

The Growing Young Farmers’ Society was founded in 2011 and became a registered charity in 2013. Their goal is to provide hands-on educational opportunities to youth on growing food, soil and ecosystem health, and biodiversity.

 

Children who participate in growing food become more aware of what they consume, where it comes from, and how it impacts the environment. By learning how to grow food, students can also play an active role in increasing Vancouver Island's sustainability and decreasing our dependence on the global, industrial food system.

From 2011-2022 Growing Young Farmers operated in-school programs, helping children learn gardening skills by maintaining gardens at their schools. They also offered spring break and summer camps, including at Sandown in 2022.

In 2023 The Growing Young Farmers’ Society transitioned away from school-garden programs, and has entrusted the Sandown Centre to run its youth programming at our farm. Programs will be up and running for school field trips in spring of 2024!

 

Growing Young Farmers Charity Registration #84181 6887 RR001

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Become a Donor.

Help support the ongoing work of the Growing Young Farmers’ Society at The Sandown Centre!

We rely on the generosity of our community to fund youth programs. Let’s work together to ensure a healthy, nourishing future for our kids!

Board of Directors

The Growing Young Farmers Society is run by a dedicated group of volunteer Board members.

Carol Hyland - President

Anita Abbott - Treasurer

Ann Eastman - Secretary

Brooke Williams - Board Member at Large

Debbie Pungente - Board Member at Large

The Sandown News

Join our mailing list for up-to-date information on events, workshops, volunteer opportunities, and to receive our monthly newsletter!

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The Sandown Centre for Regenerative Agriculture

1810 Glamorgan Rd.

North Saanich, BC

V8L 5S9

info@sandowncentre.com

​© 2023 Sandown Centre for Regenerative Agriculture

The Sandown Centre is located on the traditional lands of the SENĆOŦEN speaking W̱S͸ḴEM (Tseycum) peoples of the W̱SÁNEĆ First Nations. We recognize, with deep humility and respect, the people who stewarded these lands since time immemorial and the devastation caused by colonization.

Regenerative Agriculture draws from the wisdom and environmental connection that is found in Indigenous food systems throughout history and accross the globe. During colonization, farming as we know it, was used to remove Indigenous people from their ancestral lands and disrupt their traditional foodways, causing widespread suffering and loss of life. Integral to regenerative agriculture is food sovereignty, equity, justice, environmental conservation, and the knowledge that we must care for the earth to care for ourselves. We are committed to working in the spirit of these ideals, and strive towards tangible reconciliation work through land restoration, stewardship, education, food and relationship.

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