Knowlton Academy greenhouse project aims at more than growing greens

EadenMuir likes to get his hands dirty.

The eight-year-old student at Knowlton Academy, an elementary school in Lac-Brome, used to live on a farm.

His mother, Jennifer RugginsMuir, says Eaden knows the growing season so well, he can tell you exactly when his favourite type of apple should be ripe for the picking.

But few children in the Eastern Townships have that kind of connection to nature anymore. That's why, with the help of the community, Knowlton Academy is building a greenhouse on land behindthe school.

"This is about teaching the kids how to be self-sustaining adults," said school principal Renalee Gore.

"Cooking a meal is one thing, but also interacting with each other and with the wider community is important to learn,too."

Lack of nutrition know-how

A new study released last week by theregion's public health office found that anglophonesin the Eastern Townships areconsistentlyless healthy than francophones.

The gap can be explained by multiple factors, such as lower income and education levels and restrictedaccess to health care in their mother tongue.

The findings are particularly startling when it comes toyoung people: Anglophonechildren and teenagers have a less nutritiousdiet than their francophone counterparts, fromkindergarten right through high school.

One in three English-language high school students consume chips, candy and sugar drinks daily, compared to one in four francophone students.

"Some parents are better than others, but there's one little boy who comes over to play at our house,and we can't even get him to eat apieceof chicken," saidRugginsMuir, a professional chef and mother of three children who all attend Knowlton Academy.

Taking pride in where food comes from

Ruggins Muir is part of the team spearheading the greenhouse project.

For her,it isimportant kids know and take pride in where their food comes from.

Growing food is the kind ofhands-on experience that many children no longer get, agreedShelley Mizener, another member of the greenhouse project team.

"It used to be that when kids got home from school, they would get on a tractor and help with the hay," saidMizener. "Wedon'tlivemultigenerationallyanymore."

Cooking, too, is a survival skill that is being lost, says KnowltonAcademy's principal.

"It used to be that parents had more time to cook and make food," said Gore. "Now everyone is busier. Both parents are working. Times are different."

Mizenersaid she hopesthe greenhouse will be a place for the students to reconnect with nature and also, to connect with elderly people in the community.

The team has approached several seniors'homes in the area to get their involvement.

"This is about people in the community coming out and sharing their time, their expertiseand their knowledgewith the kids," said Mizener.

Local contractors volunteer time

The design for the$11,000 greenhouseis simple.

The building is to beheated by the sun alone from March until October.

Local plumbers and electricians have volunteered their services, with a plan to get the projectup and running by next spring.

"The fact that people are willing to help says a lot aboutKnowlton," saidMizener. "We all want this to work. We are allexcited about it."

For the principal at Knowlton Academy, thefocus issquarely on the students. Gore believes this is a project that can prevent many from falling through the cracks.

"We can do so much with this project:We can teach language arts, math, science," said Gore. "There are so many jobs in agriculture, and I can think of at least fouror fivestudents who might want to pursue that."

"Thepossibilitieswith this greenhouse project are endless."

For more Eastern Townships stories:

• The challenge of keeping animals off busy Eastern Township highway
• Colour the Eastern Townships with wildlife colouring book
• Deforestation concerns voiced during hearings into Hydro-Qubec project