Photos: Rotary Sponsor School Garden Club
The Hamilton Rotary Club has sponsored the Garden Club Programme at West Pembroke Primary School as part of its Adopt a School Programme.
A spokesperson said, “The program was initiated last year under the direction of Past President, Mr. Rick Richardson, and is now continuing under the direction of President, Rotarian Greg Soares. This project will soar this year as the Hamilton Rotary Club celebrates its 100th anniversary. Gift certificates for $100 will continue to be presented to the school to cover the cost of seedlings, design and building of garden boxes, tools and equipment, and minibus expenses for site visits to farms and gardens.
“Students join the club out of interest for gardening and work in the two gardens cultivated and organically fertilized by The Hamilton Rotary Club. They work in their two larger gardens and square foot garden during their lunch hours. There is a team of teachers who meet with The Lead Science Teacher, Mrs. Makeila Ming, as part of an Eco Club team, to plan and execute goals for the project on a monthly basis.
“Students learn through on-site experiences and lectures by community partners, Pastor Kevin Santucci, Rotarian Rick Richardson, and Past President of Hamilton Rotary Club, Mr. Jeff Sousa, the principles of gardening, cross-pollination, seasonal planting, and methods of harvesting healthy crops. They have learned about the needs of plants, specifics of care, and the impact of weather and pests on growth outcomes. They have studied the development of plants from seed to developed produce.
“They will be entering produce in the Ag Show this year and exhibit their square foot garden. The box was made by community partner, Mr. Pitt.
“Rotarian, Past President, Kirk Kitson, and Gothams Ltd, Community Partners, have played a pivotal role in the project by donating gardening tools, soil, and supplies necessary for sustaining the gardens.
“The West Pembroke Brownies, under the direction of Brown Owl, Rotarian Cathy Bassett former teacher at West Pembroke, and Snowy Owl Aliyah Philpott, member of West Pembroke P.T.A., have joined in with school efforts and contributed and planted flowers for the front entrance garden, in honor of School Secretary, the Late Mrs. Tavares who passed away suddenly last year. They are preparing to lay a plaque in her honor near the garden of hope.
“The West Pembroke Garden Club students will be visiting the Food Forest gardens in Southampton soon, along with local and visiting Rotarians from District 7230 to view larger gardens and learn more about plant propagation, preparation of the soil, and organic gardening under the direction of Owner, Mr. Greg Wilson.
“As a result of this effort, one Government preschool has already expressed interest in becoming an Adopted Eco School next year under Rotary, and with assistance from Rotarians, have already started their square foot garden and container and backyard rock gardens in preparation for full execution of their Eco Harvest Program next year.
“The Hamilton Rotary Club Adopt a School Gardening Project has been an intergenerational program which has enabled students and community partners, under the banner of Rotary, to envision and execute a dream students have of harvesting organic vegetables and herbs to provide food for their tables through a collective team effort.”
