Oliver Elementary School is turning some of its students into “young farmers” as part of the Salad Bar Program. In top photo are students getting ready to grow their gardens. In top photo from left are Matthew Hodge, Dustin Cachola, and Justin Vala. In back row are Nicholas Lang, Jasneet Sidhu, Avnit Sidhu, and Eisha Gill. ln lower photo, Azriel Starcic sells her garlic at the annual garlic festival.
Top photo by Lyonel Doherty
A unique pilot project at Oliver Elementary School is teaching students how to be young farmers and entrepreneurs at the same time.
And for 11-year-old Dustin Cachola, making some coin to build a car is a goal he has set already.
“I’m saving up money to help build a car . . . an El Camino,” Dustin said emphatically, noting that he wants to race like his mom.
But he’ll have to grow a lot of vegetables to do that.
“I’d like to be a farmer like my dad and grampa . . . I want to be like them.”
Dustin is one of several students involved in the new project as part of the Farm to School salad bar program. Interested pupils in Grade 3-7 apply for funding (up to $75) to prepare a garden, plant and maintain it, then harvest it in the fall.
Participating students will have the opportunity to sell their product at the Hester Creek Garlic Festival as well as the “meet the teacher night” in September. Students keep all of their hard earned money.
The Young Farmer Project was born from the experience of one student, Azriel Starcic, who grew some garlic and sold it at the festival. She sold 40 pounds of garlic in about 60 minutes and made $100.
Azriel was ecstatic and realized that growing and selling food was profitable; hence the pilot project at the school.
Teacher Marji Basso said they are trying to show the children the importance of growing and eating locally, and that farming is a viable business.
“We give them ‘seed’ money so they can get off the ground and see what it’s like to be a farmer,” Basso said.
The grant of up to $75 can be used for start-up costs such as materials to build an above ground planter box, some seeds, soil, and equipment.
Basso said the project is being sponsored by Hester Creek winery, Valley First Credit Union, and the Kiwanis Club.
Meanwhile, Dustin is anxious to get started growing his corn, cucumbers, peppers and zucchini. He said that he’s not afraid of the hard work that lies ahead.
“I’m mostly excited about watching the plants grow.”
Dustin’s mom, Shana Cachola, said she’s excited to see her child interested and “on fire” about something that is so healthy for him.
“This little farm of his doesn’t come with an electric cord attached and has no wifi. I love that!”
Cachola, a professional farmer herself, said seeing your child wanting to learn about what you do for a living generates hope and pride in your career.
“Bringing up the next generation with the understanding that farming is, in fact, a viable and honourable career choice is very encouraging.”
Cachola said if the community can harness the energy and positivity that children are naturally equipped with, and inject that into the agricultural system, “we will truly have something great.”
Student Matthew Hodge has this energy and is looking forward to growing his favourite vegetable – peas. He is also growing pumpkins, garlic and blackberries.
“I look forward to selling them,” he said in anticipation.
But when asked if the project will prompt him to eat more vegetables, he was honest: “I’m not sure.”
For mom Catherine Hodge, if the program gets the kids off their iPads and out in the fresh air, she’ll be thrilled.
“Kids have become inside creatures; they don’t go outside anymore.”
Hodge said the Young Farmer Project will give the children a skill for life, something they can continue to use in their old age.
She noted it will also help the environment and encourage children to eat more vegetables.
Student Justin Vala said the project will help him feed his family and his neighbours.
The Grade 4 student said he will be sure to check his garden for weeds every night before he goes to bed. He’s growing carrots, beets, watermelon and strawberries.
Sisters Aunit Kaur Sidhu and Jasneet Sidhu said locally grown food tastes better than store-bought fruits and vegetables.
“On that trip across the world, they are sprayed with gasses to help them stay fresh . . . would you like to eat fruits and veggies with a bunch of gasses on them?”
Ten-year-old Sharleen Kaur Brar said she wants to support local farmers, and besides, it’s better to eat local food than junk food.
Fellow student Eisha Gill said she wants to be a young farmer because her parents and grandparents did it.
Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
