Incredible Edibles growing challenge – a success in Irish schools

Trevor Sargent watching them grow: During a visit to Cushinstown N.S. in Wexford to promote his ‘Incredible Edibles’ programme.

Children Rewarded for Seedy Behaviour

June 26, 2009

The green shoots of Ireland’s farming future gathered today for the final of Agri Aware’s Incredible Edibles growing challenge. Ten schools relayed the highlights of their farming quest with poetry, drama and a host of other activities including a mini-election.

Growing diaries (scrapbooks) of all shapes and sizes documented the nutritional and horticultural knowledge gained by primary school children all over Ireland. Over 200 children received the fruits of their labour when Trevor Sargent T.D., Minister for Food and Horticulture presented the ten finalists with €10,000 in educational funds.

In his opening speech at the ceremony, Trevor Sargent T.D., Minister for Food and Horticulture stated, “I want to thank all who sponsored, organised and took part in the Incredible Edibles challenge. Over 2,000 schools, two in three of all the primary schools, now have a greater appreciation of growing food. I encourage all involved to keep developing their food growing skills and remember to be sure they stay healthy by eating at least five portions of fruit and veg every day”.

The schools farmed five Irish crops of potatoes, lettuces, cabbages, scallions and strawberries in their classroom. Creativity blossomed with growing diaries including fruit and vegetable recipes; science experiments; arts and crafts and photographic accounts of farm tours.

Agri Aware Chairman, Mairead Lavery commented, “Considering 100,000 children have been actively learning about the importance of the origin and security of Irish produce, the future is very promising for farming and food. These young farmers have illustrated the hard work and pride the sector takes in providing quality Irish fruit and vegetables to consumers nationwide.”

Incredible Edibles committee Chairman, Mike Neary of Bord Bia stated, “The benefits of this project, which was embraced enthusiastically by so many school children across the country, will resonate for some time to come. They have gained knowledge about the growing of produce, the role the grower plays in its production and most importantly the part it plays in a healthy, balanced diet”.

See more about Incredible Edibles here.

National Potato Growing Challenge – 220,000 children in Ireland

February 2008

Super Tuber Tuesday – 220,000 Children Meet the Spuds! Agri Aware Launch National Potato Growing Challenge Over 220,000 children are being challenged to grow their own potato crop for the 2008 United Nations, ‘International Year of the Potato’. A potato growing kit has been sent to every national school in the country free of charge for Agri Aware’s ‘Meet the Spuds!’ Potato Growing Challenge. The initiative was launched today (Tuesday) by Minister Trevor Sargent on the Jeanie Johnston Famine Ship in Dublin 1.

The aim of the initiative is to educate primary pupils on how potatoes grow and their nutritional, historical and cultural importance in Ireland. Schools were taken aboard the ship today for a spud voyage to highlight the potato’s importance over the last 150 years. Pupils are being challenged to sow the seed potatoes in February and harvest their crop in June. During the course of the plants’ growth, pupils will create a class scrapbook and monitor its progress with diagrams, photographs and written observations; the harvested crop will then be washed and weighed and the scrapbook will be sent for assessment. Participating schools have the chance to win over €10,000 in garden development funds.

Speaking at the launch, Trevor Sargent T.D., Minister for Food and Horticulture said, “It is vital for food security in Ireland and worldwide that more people become involved in growing their own food. The skills to grow potatoes and other nutritional food are an important part of a rounded education. I also hope more young people will think about agriculture as a career as more schools grow more food.”

“I want to especially thank Agri Aware for co-ordinating this innovative project. It is a huge logistical operation. Sixty tonnes of compost, two tonnes of seed potatoes, eight thousand growing bags and classroom wall charts have been distributed to almost 4,000 primary schools across the country,” he added.

Agri Aware Chairman, Mairead Lavery, outlined “The potato is the fourth most important food crop in the world, with Ireland consuming more spuds per head than any other country in Europe. ‘Meet the Spuds!’ is an excellent opportunity for teachers to encourage healthy eating among their pupils and educate them about Irish farming in a practical and hands-on manner.

Read more about the work of Agri Aware here. Established in 1996, Agri Aware is a charitable trust and we work to improve the image and understanding of Agriculture, Farming and the Food Industry in Ireland.
We act as an independent interface between the farming community and the general public to ensure an accurate perception of the industry is portrayed.