Kids Can Grow Too

Ice Lake — Students from Lakeview School and Manitoulin Secondary School began a pilot project last year with the Manitoulin Farmers Market growers. They grew bedding plants from seed and then brought them to sell at the Market Tuesdays in Little Current. The project, known as Kids Can Grow Too, was so successful that the Manitoulin Farmers' Market Association (MFMA) is expanding it to three other schools in Little Current, Mindemoya and Gore Bay this year. “Several of our members worked very closely with the schools to get the pilot project off the ground,” says Chuc Willson of the MFMA. “The kids have shown a genuine interest in the whole growing process and we as an organization had a great time working with them in the schools and having them at our Market Tuesday in Little Current. It is so vital for kids to learn about the earth and to appreciate the life cycles in this way and also to learn about our market system. They are our future market customers, and perhaps even our future vendors,” adds Willson. “We were able to fund the pilot project with financial backing from FedNor, but this year we are on our own,” adds Willson. “Members of MFMA are donating seeds, peat pots, and their expertise and we are happy to have the sponsorship of the Manitoulin Heart Health Coalition who are purchasing soil, trays and cell packs this year for the program. We have asked local Lion's Clubs to help as well. Last year we discovered that grow table units were a must for the plants to develop healthy root systems so we are looking to purchase a unit for each of the four elementary schools,” says Willson. “We have come up with an idea to encourage sponsorship from the public for this,” he goes on to explain. “We will display an honour roll at the markets with the names of those who make a donation, and I am so anxious to get on an honour roll for the first time in my life, that I will be the first to donate $50,” he quips. “We are looking for $2400. Our fund is up to $850 already just among our membership, the Gore Bay Lion's Club and Lakeview school who will be purchasing the unit on their own. So we are putting out the challenge and hopefully many will be proud to get their names added to our honour roll at the market. Also, Lee Valley have offered to give us a 15% discount on the units” he adds. If you are interested in making a donation, cheques can be sent payable to Manitoulin Farmers' Markets Association, c/o Chuc Willson, 600 Robertson Road, RR 1, Gore Bay ON POP 1HO. The Manitoulin Farmers' Market Association assists with the development and expansion of farmers' markets, as an alternative marketing opportunity for locally grown and produced goods in the District of Manitoulin. Markets are held in Little Current on Tuesdays, Gore Bay on Fridays and Mindemoya on Saturdays from the May long weekend to Thanksgiving. For more information, please visit the Manitoulin Farmers' Market website. Contact: Chuc Willson Manitoulin Farmers' Market Association (705) 282-0274