They are cultivating lettuce, spinach, cauliflower, basil and chives on an elevated surface to show that most vegetables can be grown almost anywhere.
The 2010 Grade 8 class started the project last year, and this year’s class is continuing where they left off. These students have named the garden Bay’s Unusually placed Garden Saving the environment, or BUGS.
According to a report by the students, they conducted a survey over a number of popular grocery stores and the results showed that many stores bought vegetables grown in George or Cape Town, that had been transported up to 1 750km. The students consider these figures to be "alarmingly high".
They went on to explain that a lot of fuel is used by large refrigerated trucks, which are a significant contributor of carbon dioxide emissions. Furthermore, the grocery stores’ cold storage rooms range from 45 to 60 square metres and use vast amounts of electricity, another carbon dioxide generator.
The learners’ research led them to investigate a refrigerated transport company to discover that 20% more fuel is used when the trucks’ refrigerators are turned on. "The company is only based in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban, meaning that empty trucks are travelling all around the country," explained the excited youths.
They want to set an example by proving that people do not have to depend so heavily on food stuffs that have travelled long distances before reaching their tables.
This unusual garden at Bay College is part of WESSA’s Energy and Sustainability Programme, funded by ESKOM. This programme encourages young people in clubs and schools to explore innovation and sustainability with regard to energy and the environment. For more information, or assistance with starting a project or club, the regional coordinator Susan Donald can be contacted at sasu@mweb.co.za or 071 677 0264.
The learners wish to encourage everyone in their community to help their cause, because "together everyone can achieve something big. Be creative, the possibilities are endless". The public is invited to view this project and can contact 044 533 4843 to set up an appointment to do so.
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Bay College with their organic project. In the back, from left are Cameron Smith and Kyle Goosen. Seated is Brandon Koetzer and in front are Sarah Helsall and Heather Anderson. The cups constructed from plastic soft-drink bottles are to collect rain for self-watering.
ARTICLE: CANDICE LUDICK
