Kitchen Garden

I made a new friend recently who made a throw away statement that has since stuck in my head. Something about intelligence being cultivated by the amount of time your hands are in contact with soil. If you dig soils, so to speak, here's a link to a recent program on Radio National's Science program about Soils, which is well worth a listen.

Anyway, on Wednesday mornings, I often volunteer at my daughter's school as part of their Kitchen Garden project. This project is part of the larger Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden foundation. which has now helped fund 191 programs in schools all around Australia.


Chook watch



The program is integrated into the school curriculum. The children in my daughter's Grade 3 class spend an hour working in the garden in the morning and then two hours in the kitchen, once a week. At the end of this process the volunteers, teachers and children join together to eat a magnificent feast.




Home made Ricotta and Silverbeet Ravioli with Sage and Butter sauce.



I am sure that when I look back over the year my moments in the garden and kitchen with the kids will be my highlights. It is absorbing to witness how much a child can learn within the parameters of Nature married with good education.