The tilling and toil by students in the SOAR Program at the community garden on Nelson’s Silver King Campus has received a boost from the Kootenay Co-Op grocery store.
The Steps to Opportunities, Academics & Readiness (SOAR) Program provides a diverse offering of programs to meet the learning needs of adult students. The mission of the program is to nurture interdependence and independence through meaningful learning.
One of the important outdoor classrooms for building employability skills within the program is the SOAR Community Garden that includes a greenhouse and garden boxes where a variety of food and flowers are grown. To help with upkeep of the garden that includes the cost of soil, seeds and tools, the Kootenay Co-Op chipped in with a $500 donation from its Summer Community Grant program.
“The community garden provides very important outcomes for students in the SOAR Program,” says Instructor Alison Roy. “Having this kind of support from the Kootenay Co-Op helps ensure we are able to keep on growing! Students and faculty appreciate the kindness, and will make sure this donation produces tangible results.”
The SOAR Community Garden operates in partnership with the Nelson Community Food Centre, Bigby Place, Kootenay Kids and Learning In Retirement. The garden also feeds the community and its neighbours. Students work in the garden well into the fall and then start it up again in the spring and summer when prime growing season begins.
Learn more about the Selkirk College SOAR Program.
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.