MANITOULIN—The original Kids Can Grow program germinated here on Manitoulin Island some 13 years ago, thanks to the efforts of Chuc and Linda Willson. The program was nurtured by the Gore Bay Farmers’ Market and soon grew into a province-wide endeavour aimed at inspiring schoolchildren to explore the wonders of growing your own food.
Anastasia Eranosova is no stranger to Island gardeners, being a regular feature at the Island’s seed swaps and other garden-oriented events. But what might not be as front and centre is her work in the schools as part of the Kids Can Grow program in Island schools.
“I have been doing this program in three Manitoulin schools, Central Manitoulin Public School, Assiginack Public School and Shawanosowe School,” said Ms. Eranosova, although she had to cut back to just two schools this past year.
“We need new volunteers,” she continued. “Someone to help facilitate and fundraise.”
Lately, Ms. Eranosova has been concentrating her interactions with youth in the classroom on soil health. “I brought in some warm compost and the children were really excited.”
The passionate gardener noted that the children become very engaged in the process when they are able to get their hands into the dirt.
“They really like sticking their fingers into the soil and mixing in the compost,” she said. “Even the teachers who don’t have a green thumb have changed. They seem more at ease, which is really great to see too.”
“I was really surprised with what the students already know,” she said. “A couple of years ago maybe a third of the children had any idea, but since the pandemic I think a lot of parents have started growing and almost all of the kids raise their arms when I ask a question. It is great to see their interest.”
Children are also amazed at the size and shape of some seeds. “I brought in some mountain laurel seeds, they are bright red and big—it opens up their minds as to what seeds can look like.”
Aiding in the program is that some schools have LED growing stations that the program can put to good use.
“With a school like Central Manitoulin Public School, they have gardens in their schoolyard that they can plant the seedlings in and then harvest later,” she said.
Some of the volunteers in the program are getting older, however, and that leads to the need to recruit some new facilitators for the program. The project is very rewarding in that volunteers can see first-hand the impact they can have in engaging children with the process of raising their own plants—kids can grow.
Ms. Eranosova can be reached online at velojardinage@gmail.com for more information on how to get involved in the Kids Can Grow program.
