Dr Simon McMillan KVC Urban Farm Teacher explains that the College wanted to challenge mind-sets about how education can happen for our young people and how humans interact with the environment. Kaikorai Valley College (KVC) Urban Farm is all about learning differently.

"Our learning is focused on Science and Technology in Sustainable Agriculture. However, we also apply a broader cross-curricula approach wherever possible."

"We want students to have opportunities to learn in a more applied and collaborative way to help build understanding and mutual respect and self-worth." 

Students are also often less stressed at the farm, they enjoy being with friends and are able to release their energy. While caring for horses, calves, lambs, chickens, bees, freshwater fish, eels and invertebrates students have developed their leadership skills and learn to take responsibility for their actions.

At the urban farm, students have built almost all the structures. They gain maths, science and technical skills when building a seat, raised beds, or compost bins. Students are often given different materials and then given free range to invent something. 

The below photo illustrates this in action, with a group of Year 12 students who had to build a structure that would hold up netting over the blackcurrant bushes. 

"This is a great example of what is called collaborative learning - a task is set where people have to work together and create to produce an outcome that is not clearly defined: a 'structure' is very general."

Part of what Kaikorai Valley College Urban Farm has done incredibly well is develop and grow links to others both in the community but across the education sector. 

The Urban Farm is a focal point in strengthening community resilience to grow food; building networking partnerships for mutual support across the education sector; creating foundation to careers opportunities and to help bridge the divide between rural and urban communities. 

Open Day Opportunity 

Kaikorai Valley College Urban Farm will host an open day on November 19th from 10.00 to 2.00pm. 

This is a wonderful opportunity to take a stroll around and learn more about the Urban Farm plus purchase some home grown produce. 

If you wish to follow the wonderful learning experiences of the KVC Urban Farm you can do so via their Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/urbanconceptfarmKVC