Farm Friend – Intergenerational Landed Learning Project

The Intergenerational Landed Learning on the Farm Project is a unique initiative of the Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy, Faculty of Education, University of British Columbia, with its focus on agriculture and food as the link between a healthy environment and human well-being. By uniting generations in a community learning initiative this program illustrates the values of lifelong learning, community mindedness, ecological and social citizenship, and civic responsibility. These are values that are difficult to communicate in schools and classrooms and are best learned through personal and community experience.

Program Objectives

1. To help young children acquire knowledge and skills of sustainable and organic growing practices that will aid them in becoming environmental stewards and healthy, thoughtful consumers;
2. To help teachers integrate ecological sustainability concepts and practices, learned through organic gardening, with classroom lessons;
3. To support and advance a local, sustainable food system through an urban organic food growing initiative; and
4. To advance intergenerational exchange and learning about sustainable lifestyles in the community

Position Description

Farm Friend volunteers work in pairs (generally one senior and one younger volunteer) to mentor elementary children (ages 8-12) in growing food in raised garden beds at the UBC Farm. Over the course of the school year, the groups save seed, manage the compost, mulch, start seedlings, direct seed, transplant, water, make compost tea, weed, thin, harvest, cook, and eat. Volunteers meet with their garden groups 10-12 times during the year, or approximately every other week Sept-October and March-June.

Farm Friends participation is fundamental to the Landed Learning Project. The intergenerational relationships our volunteers form with the children and their adult partners create rich learning experiences and lasting memories. These relationships inspire healthy lifestyles and healthy communities that contribute to a healthy environment

Positions Available: 30

Position Term: 9 months

Reporting to: Stacy Friedman

Location: UBC Farm (UBC Vancouver Campus)

Benefits to Volunteer

• On-going training and support in garden skills and working with children
• Great food (garden snacks and veggies to take home)!
• The appreciation and respect of children
• Intergenerational relationships
• Caring, connected community
• Time with your hands in the soil
• An invitation to our volunteer appreciation luncheon
• A Landed Learning t-shirt, designed by a participating child

Skills and Qualifications

The most important asset for a volunteer to have is the desire to care for the Earth, children, and the wider community. A love of food is helpful too!

All Landed Learning volunteers work in pairs and receive on-going training. We strive to create pairs in which at least one partner has experience with children and another has experience with gardening. Therefore it is helpful, but not essential, to have some experience growing plants or working with children.

How to Apply

Contact the Program Coordinator at landedlearning@gmail.com or 604-822-4842 for application details.

Contact

Stacy Friedman
604-822-4842
landedlearning@gmail.com
www.edcp.educ.ubc.ca/landedlearning/