Agriculture In The Classroom NL

Way to grow, Alyx! We're so proud to have you as an advocate and bringing awareness to the agriculture industry here in NL. Alyx is a member of NL Young Farmers, as well as, an AITC-NL Steering Committee member. We're luck to have her! As we celebrate the International Year of the Woman Farmer, it's important to recognize the faces that are growing our food systems. 🌱🐝

THANK YOU for another successful school year! Thank you to all our students, teachers, staff, farmers, volunteers, and supporters that participated in Little Green Thumbs, Little Green Sprouts, Vermi-composting, Canada's Agriculture Day, Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month and more with us this past school year! We hope you keep growing this summer and we can't wait to see what the next school year has in store!

We're so lucky to have Maureen leading our Little Green Thumbs program! It has blossomed into something very special in our province and we believe Maureen's dedication and passion are part of the reason why! 🪱🫑🌱

For over ten years Maureen has been helping students across Newfoundland and Labrador discover the exciting world of agriculture through her role as Little Green Thumbs Coordinator with Agriculture in the Classroom NL.

With more than 27 years of experience in the non-profit sector and a background in the culinary world, Maureen is passionate about helping young people understand where their food comes from, who grows it, and the work that goes into producing it. Through the Little Green Thumbs program, students have the opportunity to plant, grow, harvest, taste, and share their own produce while building a deeper connection to agriculture.

Maureen especially enjoys sharing the story of Newfoundland and Labrador agriculture and showcasing the incredible fresh, local products grown right here at home. One of her favourite parts of the job is working alongside dedicated educators who bring the program to life in their classrooms. As one teacher put it: “This is learning at its finest!”

When she's not supporting school gardens, you'll likely find Maureen spending time with family, cooking, or tending to her own backyard garden.

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If you’ve seen exciting, hands-on agriculture education happening in NL schools, chances are Chelsea had a hand in it!

As our Agriculture in the Classroom Coordinator (AITC-NL), Chelsea is a huge part of the team leading ag-education in our province. For over a decade , she’s been developing incredible resources and bringing major initiatives to life, including Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month, Canada’s Agriculture Day, and The Amazing Agriculture Adventure.

Chelsea always knew she wanted to work with youth, studying Child Development, Psychology, and Community Studies. That path led her straight to us, where she developed a massive passion for the ag industry. Today, she finds so much joy in sharing the stories of the hardworking people who provide the food on our plates across Newfoundland and Labrador.

"The agriculture industry is an endless world of opportunity, and connecting youth to those opportunities is vital to the future of our growing industry."

When she’s not inspiring students in the classroom, Chelsea loves hanging out with family and friends, and walking her cat Bosun.

Drop a comment below to thank Chelsea for her 10+ years of dedication to growing the future of NL agriculture!

💚 Thank you for having us! We're excited to be part of the conversations about the Next Policy Framework for the agriculture industry. We are so grateful for the current Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership agreement that allows AITC-NL to continue bringing awareness to agriculture in NL and supporting agriculture education in our province. Thank you for having us!

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to speak with young farmers and youth organizations across Canada. The voices, perspectives, and ideas of the next generation are essential to shaping a strong Next Policy Framework and a resilient future for the sector.

Canadian Agricultural Youth Council Canadian Young Farmers Forum Canadian Cattle Youth Council Agricultrices du Québec Egg Farmers of Canada 4-H Canada Agriculture In The Classroom NL NL Young Farmers
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Hier, j'ai eu l'occasion de parler avec de jeunes agriculteurs et des organisations de jeunesse à travers le Canada. Les voix, les perspectives et les idées de la prochaine génération sont essentielles pour façonner un cadre de politique prochaine solide et un avenir résilient pour le secteur.

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Are you a Canadian resident aged 18 to 30 and are currently studying a topic related to agriculture, or do you have experience or an interest in agriculture or agri-food?

Apply today to join the next cohort of the Canadian Agricultural Youth Council and make your voice heard: https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/department/initiatives/youth/canadian-agricultural-youth-council

We have been BUSY as bees at AITC-NL! 🐝
We've been attending different events such as:
💚Gardeners Gathering- the official opening of the H.G.R. Mews Community Garden with our friends at City of St. John's.
💚Make Do And Mend Festival with our friends at O'Brien Farm Foundation.
💚Science Rendezvous at MUN with our friends at .
We've also been celebrating Harvest Celebrations with our Little Green Thumbs (LGT) and Little Green Sprouts (LGS) classes! We've been visiting several schools in our area to make strawberry and honey ice cream, planting sunflowers, making living necklaces, and getting to see some amazing gardens (check out the size of those pole beans)! 🌱
We LOVE hearing about how our LGT/LGS enjoyed growing with us this year. Thank you to all the teachers, students, staff, volunteers, and the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership for making this all possible!

TODAY from 6pm to 8pm! Join the City of St. John's to help celebrate the Grand Opening of the H.G.R. Mews Community Garden and Gardeners Gathering Event. We're bringing our wiggly friends and some children activities! See you there! 🌱

🌱Grand Opening of the H.G.R. Mews Community Garden and Gardeners Gathering Event 🌱

Residents are invited to attend the Grand Opening of the H.G.R. Mews Community Garden and Gardeners Gathering Event on Wednesday, June 10 from 6 to 8 p.m. The evening will celebrate gardening, accessibility, and community connection at the new garden space located at the H.G.R. Mews Community Centre, 60 Blackler Avenue.

What to Expect:
🪴 Expert Tips & Resources from local organizations.

🌳 Interactive Activities like a seed swap, flower fling making, and hands-on learning about composting, tree care, and growing food at home.

🌿 Explore the Community Gardens on site and get inspired for your own growing season.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All Ages Welcome! With kid-friendly activities and opportunities to learn for gardeners at every level.

🍅 Whether you’re starting your first tomato plant or have a yard full of perennials, come out to share stories, gather knowledge, and connect with the St. John’s gardening community.

No registration required. Just drop in and grow with us!

For more information visit: https://loom.ly/JiRqGNM