Free distribution of seeds, growing supplies, and teaching materials for primary schools. Opening February 2024
We consider raising awareness of the importance of biodiversity and sustainability in agriculture (and consumption) to be crucial. Preserving seeds and the techniques for propagating them is an end in itself without a young and innovative following. Fortunately, thanks to renewed interest, many parents and teachers are increasingly concerned about instilling a passion for nature and respect for the ecosystem in children, the future custodians of our rural heritage. Thus, nine years ago, we began workshops with children, demonstrating the importance of biodiversity through play, and then having them sow seeds using recycled materials. The results have been remarkable: the children understand the importance of sustainability and biodiversity with unexpected strength, carrying them with them, linked to the fond memory of their first seedling.
Over the years, we've refined the workshop, making it more sustainable. In 2018, we adapted the " Formavaso " into a smaller, more manageable version for children. It's not for sale, but it's distributed free of charge to schools. The Formavaso allows children to make their own pots from recycled paper, then transplant them by placing the pot directly into the ground.
We're now launching a NEW package for primary schools, as always completely free: it includes seeds of the ancient corn variety GEM GLASS (Zea mays), one of the most suitable for children (see following paragraphs) because it's particularly ornamental and ready in about 60 days, that is, before the end of school year, when it can be sown (early April). We're also providing teaching materials: illustrated cards to show the fruits of what they'll be growing, identification tags with ice cream scoops (as if they were recycled), and a handbook for teachers, with links to additional printouts. The package also includes a sample of Gem Glass corn to show the children to help them understand the differences between the varieties.
After Covid, we decided to scale back the project to better monitor each school. This year, we'll reach 15 schools. Each package includes initial materials for approximately 150 children, for a total of 2,000 primary school students.
Please remember that the material and shipping are completely free, and no registration or fundraising is required for fairer distribution.
To request it, click on the GREEN button at the bottom of the page. If it is red, it means that the 15 positions are sold out.
Each email will be analyzed and you will be contacted to confirm acceptance.
The request can be made only once; the following year, this year's schools will be excluded.
Sustainability and workshops for little future "GUARDIANS OF BIODIVERSITY".
15 Primary Schools for 2000 children
The package is intended for primary schools; over the years, we have identified this age group as the most effective response. Currently, we serve 15 schools serving approximately 2,000 children.
We decided to use fewer schools so we could better support teachers, including through a private WhatsApp group. The package can be reused over the years, and by training the teachers, the school can independently replicate it the following year with the same seeds reproduced by the students.
Each year we will serve different schools, hoping to be able to expand the project again as it was before Covid.
The package contains:
No. 01 Gem Glass Corn Specimen (to show to students)
Nr 200+ Gem Glass Corn Seeds
No. 02 Vase maker for making paper vases with instructions
No. 150 Ice Cream Scoops (for seed markers)
No. 150 graduated irrigation pipettes
No. 02 packs of double-sided tape to attach the tags to the pallets
No. 05 Mais Gem Glass identification cards to show to the class
Prints of the identification tags and templates for reproducing them.
Vademecum for teachers
Access to the WhatsApp group for discussion with other schools, for suggestions (to give or receive) to improve the project
Seeds, which ones and why
Based on our experience, we selected the most suitable seeds. The seeds must be visually attractive, easy to handle, and germinate quickly so as not to lose interest while waiting. They must also ripen before the end of school so everyone can see their work together. We chose Gem Glass Corn, which has all the right characteristics, plus it's truly beautiful and produces popcorn with a colorful core!
Don't worry, they are flint corn seeds, not GMO or F1.
Easy to grow and with the possibility of also growing in pots, in case the school doesn't have a vegetable garden and the children take their pots home.
The Vase Form
With the help of the Formavaso (a smaller, specially designed version), children can make their own recycled paper vases using a wooden mold, thus conveying the importance of reuse and the value of discarded items. The Formavaso comes with instructions and a template to assist teachers. It's incredibly easy to use; even the youngest children can make their own vase in less than a minute the first time. The Formavaso is a handmade product and is free, like the other products, but due to the cost of production, we can only distribute two to each school.
A group of 15 children will take about 15 minutes to make their own jars, try more try less.
The vase holder is made of untreated recycled wood, turned on a lathe by a craftsman.
The advantages of the Formavaso are numerous: they make the workshop more interesting, teach the importance of recycling, and above all, make planting easier. Often, seeds are germinated in absorbent paper, but this means that the radicle breaks when transplanting into the soil, leaving the child disappointed. Paper pots, on the other hand, are permeable to the roots and can be transplanted directly into the soil. They are also easy to handle without damaging the seedling.
Teaching materials
With the seeds and the Formavaso, you'll receive useful materials to show the children what they'll be doing and what they'll be sowing: a specimen of the beautiful Gem Glass corn, identification cards for the variety, tags indicating the plant species, some cultivation tips, and, most importantly, a space to write the name of the little great grower. They'll place them in paper pots using special scoops that mimic ice cream scoops, again to remind them of the importance of recycling. To make things more interesting, graduated pipettes for the first waterings will give the child the feeling of a real "experiment." For teachers, a small guide for sowing and correcting any small mistakes.
How to request free shipping of seeds and materials - Availability is 15 schools - approximately 2,000 children
To request the materials, simply send an email by clicking the button below and indicate: the school's name and address, the project leader (must be a teacher), the number of children, and whether you have a garden at school or whether you will give the plants to the children to take home.
Requirements: The school must be a public primary school. The materials must not have been received in previous years.
After receiving the emails, 15 schools will be selected, strictly in chronological order of request.
You will be contacted in the next few days. Check your emails, as if you don't receive a response, the next school will be selected. If the button is red, your space is filled!
Pietro Segatta Tuesday 28 March
The project is fully funded by the non-profit cultural association Cercatori di Semi - Terranatura