Media release
For immediate release
29 August 2012
Rural Women NZ encourages green fingers with South Island rural school gardening grants
Rural Women New Zealand is encouraging youngsters to experience the magic of growing vegetables and fruit by giving away
two grants to South Island rural primary schools to set up or further develop gardens and orchards.
Rural Women New Zealand has partnered with Meridian, which is funding two $2,000 cash grants for schools to buy
equipment, seedlings or plants.
Knowing how to grow vegetables and fruit is a basic skill that will stand children in good stead throughout their lives,
as well as being an enjoyable hobby, says Rural Women NZ’s national president, Liz Evans.
“You’re never too young to learn how to plant trees and seeds and nurture them into healthy plants, and the beauty of
fruit and vegetable gardening is the end result - fresh, tasty produce that the children can share and enjoy.”
The two chosen schools will also receive a copy of A Good Harvest – recipes from the gardens of Rural Women New Zealand,
which is brimful of ideas for making the most of surplus produce.
“The art of making jams, pickles, chutneys and preserves is fun for children to learn, and can help stretch people’s
food budgets by ensuring that any surplus produce doesn’t go to waste.”
Rural South Island primary schools can apply for a gardening grant by completing the entry form on www.ruralwomen.org.nz
– search for South Island School Garden Grants. Applications close 27 November.
ends