The research was conducted on the occasion of the fourth edition of School Garden Week (19–23 May), in which more than 250 primary schools and approximately 12,000 pupils are taking part. With the theme ‘Every child well rooted’, this week highlights the value of the school garden for education. “It is important that children know how the process of sowing and harvesting works. As far as we are concerned, a school garden should become just as normal as a gym,” says programme manager Vincent van der Veen of IVN Natuureducatie, one of the partners within the School Garden Alliance.
To underline the growing popularity of the school garden, an attempt will be made on Thursday 22 May, with the Great Carrot Lesson, to set the world record for the largest vegetable garden lesson in Dutch hands with approximately 9,500 pupils. The spectacular launch of the record attempt will take place at the CNME De Wilgenhof school garden complex in Rotterdam, with many enthusiastic children, a large-screen counter keeping track of the number of participants, a carrot cannon and guides dressed in carrot costumes.
Differences between provinces
The efforts of the School Garden Alliance to put school gardening more firmly on the map are beginning to bear fruit, as shown by the DUO study, which will soon be presented to Minister Wiersma of LVVN. By now, almost half of the primary schools in our country (48 percent) have access to a school garden. However, the differences between provinces are very significant. In Zeeland, no less than 76 percent of teachers have access to a school garden, compared with around 60 percent in North Holland and Utrecht. In Flevoland, however, this applies to only 25 percent of primary schools. In this province, school gardening has also been included in school policy at almost no primary schools.
The enthusiasm for actually getting started with school gardening, when that possibility exists, also varies greatly between provinces. It is striking that in the north of the country (Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe), the available school gardens are used frequently. In the province of Groningen, which stands head and shoulders above the rest, this applies to no less than 83 percent of teachers. In Friesland, the figure is 67 percent, and in Drenthe 62 percent of teachers. School gardening is also well rooted in Zeeland, with 75 percent of teachers actively participating. It is notable that in the province of North Holland there are plenty of opportunities for school gardening, but enthusiasm among teachers lags behind at just 51 percent. Willingness to engage in school gardening is lowest among teachers in Limburg, at only 41 percent. The other provinces are in the middle range.
Developing food literacy
Many teachers who do not currently garden at school with their class indicate that they would like to do so. Lack of time and a lack of support are cited as reasons for not getting started in the school garden. This is a shame, because the teachers who do roll up their sleeves in the garden have positive experiences with it. They consider it important for children to be actively involved with their hands in the soil and to learn to care for and take responsibility for their garden. Other reasons mentioned are that children learn where their food comes from and develop skills other than those learned in the classroom. That is why the School Garden Alliance is once again presenting the ‘Golden Carrot’ this year: a symbolic accolade for a Dutch municipality that provides inspiring support for school gardening.
School Garden Alliance and Young Learning to Eat
School Garden Week is an initiative of the School Garden Alliance and Young Learning to Eat. They are committed to giving every child access to a school garden during their primary school years. Sowing, caring for and harvesting vegetables, fruit and flowers themselves contributes to greater knowledge of and involvement with food and nature. A school garden is a place where all children can flourish. The alliance consists of Adviesbureau Beleef & weet, Vereniging GDO (Network of local NME organisations), IVN Natuureducatie, Rob Baan (Koppert Cress) and Simon Groot (East-West Seed).