Food Forest

What is a food forest?

Food forests have been used for millennia in tropical regions but have become popular in Western countries only in the last few decades. A food forest is an edible garden composed of trees, shrubs, perennials, herbs, vines, and even mushrooms, all working together to create a harmonious ecosystem. In a food forest, all plants have many functions: providing food (for humans and other species); providing medicine; providing shelter (for animals and other plants); increasing soil fertility; attracting pollinators; repelling pests; and many others. Because the plants work together as a complex system, a food forest provides abundant opportunities for learning about ecology, biology, environmental science, nutrition, Indigenous Knowledge, and other areas. For this reason, food forests have been planted on school grounds throughout Canada and the US–but not yet in Nova Scotia.

Why is Bluenose Academy creating a food forest?

Bluenose Academy is surrounded by a large outdoor area, including playing fields (mowed grass), playground (padded surface), paved and gravel areas/walkways, and some landscaped areas. Educators and students recognize the need for more outdoor recreation and education, better incorporation of Indigenous Knowledge into curricula, and more hands-on learning. At the same time, our community must deal with complex problems of food security, climate change, biodiversity loss and pandemic management.


Creating a food forest at Bluenose Academy provides new opportunities for learning and teaching (of both students and community members) as well as a way to address social and environmental issues.


The gardens will include trees, shrubs, perennials, vines, groundcovers, herbs, and may include annual plantings. There may be paths, gathering areas, themed areas, built structures, natural play areas, etc.

Goals


  1. Enrich school and community learning about food security, healthy living, climate change, biodiversity, Indigenous Knowledge.

  2. Address food security/healthy living in school and community by growing an edible garden.

  3. Enrich outdoor activities for Bluenose students (i.e. recess, class, and other non-teaching times).

  4. Beautify and diversify school grounds without increasing annual maintenance.



Our guiding values


Diversity and Inclusiveness: The project welcomes ownership, inclusion, involvement from diverse people and perspectives. Everyone involved shares responsibility for their own and others’ voices being heard and understood.


Sustainability: The Garden aims to restore the local native ecosystem, which is self-sustaining. We are guided by teachings from permaculture and Mi'kmaq culture.


Learning: We look for and engage in learning opportunities through every aspect of the project.


Cultural responsiveness: We use the cultural knowledge, prior experiences, frames of reference, and performance styles of ethnically diverse students to make learning encounters more relevant to and effective for them. We teach to and through the strengths of our students.


Who will use the food forest?

  • BA Students

  • BA and visiting educators and staff

  • Grounds maintenance personnel

  • Community members who volunteer in the BA Gardens

  • Wildlife for whom the garden will be habitat

What areas will the school provide for the food forest?

The food forest is being planned for two areas in the school grounds; in future years, more areas may be added. For more details, please see:


How will this project unfold?


This project is being organized through a collaboration of community volunteers and the school community. We seek input from a diverse range of stakeholders to reach our goals. The gardens will be planned and designed during 2022. We hope to begin preparing ground later in 2022, and, if possible, start some planting, which will continue into 2023.


Questions?


You can get more information from project coordinators:


Teresa Quilty teresaquilty@gmail.com 902-523-5205

Katherine Barrett katherinebarrett@gmail.com 902-529-0478