2014 Portland, Victoria, Australia
Students from Portland Secondary College were finalists in the 2014 Caring for Our Watersheds competition, with their proposal to implement a Sustainable Food Garden that would help supply the community kitchen connected to their school.
This kitchen is used by hospitality students from Portland and Heywood Secondary Colleges, the Re-engagement center and community at large.
The garden has multiple benefits including: reduction in the purchase of packaged goods, less food waste, and increased biodiversity in the Portland community.
Thanks to the Caring for our Watersheds program and community partners the students were able to:
- Construct eight raised garden beds filled with edible native and common food plants.
- Set up an organic waste recycle system with composting and chickens to sustain the garden and minimize waste.
- Conduct native tree and shrub planting around our school to increase biodiversity in the corridor.
The garden has now been in full swing for several months with students maintaining and using the seasonal vegetables and herbs. The students are also composting their food waste and collecting eggs from the chicken coop!
Regular bird monitoring also takes place to keep track of the wildlife within the school grounds.