Growing Nature Academy
Here to help you grow …
Healthy, Sustainable Food
Ethically Responsible Citizens
A Compassionate World
ABOUT US
The ‘Growing Nature Academy’ is an exciting collaborative educational initiative between the charity organisation Vegan Organic Network (VON) and Veganism in Education C.I.C (VinE).
Vegan Organic Network (VON)
VON is dedicated to creating a more sustainable and compassionate world through planet friendly vegan organic growing and environmental education. veganorganic.net
Veganism in Education C.I.C (VinE)
VinE create and recommend materials for teachers concerned with encouraging empathy, compassion, good health and sustainable choice-making in their students. teachvine.org
We will be working together with schools to foster a deeper understanding of ethical, ecological, and vegan organic principles among students, teachers, and the broader school community.
WHAT IS VEGAN ORGANIC (VEGANIC) GROWING?
GREEN CLEAN CRUELTY FREE
- ‘VEGANIC’ combines ‘VEGAN’ with ‘ORGANIC’. It is a guarantee that food is grown in an ORGANIC way using only PLANT BASED FERTILISER
- Most organic food is grown with fertiliser made from animal by-products such as fishmeal, animal manures, blood and bonemeal
- Growing veganically encourages functional biodiversity – so pesticides are not necessary
- No chemicals, no GMO and no animal by products are used in any part of the chain
- Veganic food is resilient to the largest environmental and sustainability problems facing humanity
OUR AIM
We aim to support educators looking to provide children and young people with the knowledge, skills, values and agency to address interconnected global challenges including climate change, loss of biodiversity, unsustainable use of resources, social inequality and injustice.
Including vegan organic ethics and practices as an approach for sustainable development can help foster healthy global citizens responsible for ensuring a more compassionate, just and flourishing world – for the benefit of people, animals and the planet.
STRATEGIES TO MEET OUR AIM
We want to encourage children to learn about planet friendly vegan organic growing by providing fun outdoor and indoor learning environments that support cross-curriculum teaching.
We will raise awareness on the benefits of plant-based production and consumption to schoolchildren, parents and teachers by providing practical resources and advice on vegan organic growing methods, encourage visits to vegan organic farms and animal sanctuaries, create and recommend related curricula materials.
Our Next Steps:
Produce and recommend online academic resources which support subjects across the curriculum
Produce and recommend online resources relating to vegan organic growing
Form collaborative partnerships with like-minded organisations
Establish a network of vegan organic specialists to visit schools
Build a network of vegan organic establishments that can host school visits
Are you vegan organic grower or specialist interested in creating learning resources or visiting schools to help design gardens and run workshops in compost making, vegetable and fruit cultivation etc?
Are you a farm, forest garden, animal sanctuary, community garden or other project growing food according to vegan organic principles interested in hosting school visits?
WHY WE NEED PLANET FRIENDLY VEGAN ORGANIC GROWING AND RELATED CURRICULA RESOURCES IN SCHOOLS
To empower young people with the ability to make informed decisions about the choices they make.
PROBLEMS IN THE CURRENT FOOD SYSTEM
There are many food security and sustainability challenges facing the current food system:
- Soil erosion
- Scarcity of water and limited availability of land
- Biodiversity loss
- Climate Change
- Pollution of the sea and air
- Environmental destruction
- Social injustice and inequality
These issues necessitate the creation of farming practices which respect the natural environment, protect animals, reverse wildlife decline and use the earth’s resources fairly. The current level of meat, egg and dairy consumption is also damaging to human health, the environment, animal rights and welfare.
A PLANT BASED FOOD SYSTEM IS MORE JUST AND SUSTAINABLE
When it comes to food production and consumption Vegan Organic farming is more compassionate and sustainable than conventional systems which rely on chemicals and pesticides. Large¬ scale vegan organic agriculture proves itself to use less land, water and fossil fuel resources than livestock dependent systems. Simultaneously it also causes less harmful greenhouse gas emissions and polluting wastes.
By adopting a plant-based food system, land used by farmed animals can be converted to wildlife habitats. 80% of the world’s agricultural land is used for farming animals, which provides only 13% of the world’s calories.
The vegan organic method of farming offers all the acknowledged benefits of organic growing but goes further in adopting a holistic approach which endeavours to ensure humans, animals and the planet thrive equally.
EDUCATION IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Education for sustainable development (ESD) empowers learners of all ages to make informed decisions and take individual and collective action to change society and care for the planet. ESD is a lifelong learning process and an integral part of quality education. It enhances the cognitive, socio-emotional and behavioural dimensions of learning and encompasses learning content and outcomes, pedagogy and the learning environment itself.
Educators are increasingly aware of the need to develop pedagogies which are based upon an active concern for the wellbeing of all and depend upon a notion of civic compassion that acknowledges our relational interconnectivity across species, place and time.
Including vegan organic growing practices and values in the curriculum will provide opportunities for students to explore the full range of ethical options available to them. This can help ensure a safe, nutritious and reliable food-system is physically and economically accessible for everyone, everywhere.
There is no disputing the power of children and young people as agents of change, when they are given the autonomy to critically and creatively pursue their own sustainable futures.
BENEFITS OF VEGAN ORGANIC GROWING IN EDUCATION
Growing projects in School Grounds and Gardens have widely acknowledged benefits for children’s health and wellbeing, Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural (SMSC) development and academic attainment.
Including vegan organic ethics and practices in the range of growing initiatives available in schools can make a valuable contribution to children’s education as well as providing benefits to the wider society:
Educational Benefits:
- Hands-On Learning: Vegan organic growing projects provide practical, hands-on learning experiences for students, enhancing their understanding of plant biology, ecology, and sustainable agriculture.
- Environmental Education: Children gain a deeper appreciation for nature and the environment, fostering a sense of responsibility and environmental stewardship.
- Interdisciplinary Learning: These projects can integrate various subjects, including science, math, and even art, offering a holistic and well-rounded educational experience.
- Critical Thinking: Students learn problem-solving skills as they navigate challenges such as soil management, pest control, and plant care.
- Sustainability Awareness: Children become more aware of the importance of sustainable practices and how their choices can impact the planet positively.
Health & Well-being Benefits:
- Nutrition Education: Children develop a better understanding of where their food comes from and the nutritional value of fresh, organically grown produce. A plant-based diet is scientifically acknowledged as beneficial for health and well-being.
- Healthy Eating Habits: Hands-on involvement in growing fruits and vegetables can encourage children to make healthier food choices and will encourage them to explore the benefits of a plant-based diet.
- Physical Activity: Engaging in gardening activities promotes physical activity, reducing the sedentary lifestyle often associated with modern technology.
- Stress Reduction: Gardening can be therapeutic and help reduce stress and anxiety levels among students and school staff.
SMSC & Community Benefits:
- Community Building: Vegan organic growing projects foster a sense of community within the school, bringing students, teachers, and parents together to work towards a common goal.
- Empowerment: Students feel empowered by their ability to contribute to the school’s sustainability efforts and connect with the natural world.
- Sense of Achievement: Watching their plants grow and harvesting the fruits of their labour provides a sense of accomplishment, boosting self-esteem.
- Life Skills: Children learn valuable life skills such as responsibility, patience, and teamwork through their involvement in these projects.
- Environmental Consciousness: The school community becomes more environmentally conscious, which can lead to broader initiatives to reduce waste and conserve resources.
Risk Assessment for growing projects in schools
One of the many benefits of veganic growing in schools includes the removal of the hazardous risks to children and school communities which have to be considered when growing with ‘animal manures’ and ‘chemicals’ (see points 7 and 9 of the very useful Royal Horticultural Society risk assessment guide for schools
GROW WITH US
We are keen to work with and assist educational professionals interested in engaging with our initiative, as well as forming collaborative ventures with like-minded organisations.
We warmly welcome everyone interested in engaging with the ‘Growing Nature Academy’.
If you are a vegan organic specialist interested in creating educational resources or visiting schools, click here.
If you are a vegan organic farm, forest garden, animal sanctuary, community garden and would like to be involved, click here.
