MSSBG is among the 15 recipients of this year’s Global Botanic Garden Fund for promoting a concept called “Edible School”. The Global funds aim to disburse 15-20 grants per year ($1000-2500) to drive plant conservation, especially in smaller gardens (https://www.bgci.org/our-work/services-for-botanic-gardens/global-botanic-garden-fund/
The EDIBLE SCHOOL project is to connect Children to Food Plants and Farm Fields. There will be two schools selected from Wayanad district and the Children will be engaged in the production of fruits and vegetables under the guidance of trained, interested and caring leaders, who lead the children into discovery and exploration of soil, water, biodiversity and the science of agriculture!
The project is to allow “Every Child to Grow with Nature”. The selected Schools will be cultivated with diverse species of plants which include fruit tree species, vegetables, spices, medicinal plants, wild food plants and host plants of butterflies. Students will be formed into groups and taught the science and principles of organic farming and opportunities created for them to visit organic farms. Children will engage in setting up and maintaining nutrition garden with diverse legumes, cucurbits, amaranths, banana varieties and so on. The project is to encourage children to know: The activities are to stimulate and satisfy curiosity, inspire the search for answers, develop tools and skills for finding answers and give practice in their use, encourage reading and asking questions.
