Photo by William Crooks
A young Sunnyside student proudly serves bruschetta made from vegetables grown in the Sunnyseed Garden during the school’s celebration event.

Sunnyseed Garden expansion celebrated at Sunnyside Elementary

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

Sunnyside Elementary School hosted a lively event on Sept. 12 to celebrate the expansion of its community garden, the Sunnyseed Garden. The project, which has been growing steadily since 2021, has become a symbol of community collaboration, sustainability, and education for the students and the larger Stanstead area. With the new additions of a passive solar dome greenhouse and an outdoor classroom-kitchen, the garden now plays a significant role in both the curriculum and the local food security efforts.

Marie-Andrée Lafrance, Community Learning Centre Coordinator, one of the event’s speakers, opened with a welcoming address, stating, “We thank you for joining us as we roll out the red carpet for our partners and to celebrate the expansion of our garden.” She highlighted the bilingual nature of the school, with presentations throughout the day given in both English and French.

From seed to success

The Sunnyseed Garden began as a small project in 2021, spearheaded by Sunnyside’s staff and students. Over time, it has grown into a community-supported initiative with far-reaching benefits. During the event, one speaker provided context, saying, “It started, as all things in a garden do, as a seed. An idea from [someone]… but like any good seed, it needed room, and eventually, it outgrew its pot.” The garden’s expansion was made possible by several partnerships and financial contributions, which have allowed it to thrive.

Principal Amy Gallant, who played a central role during the event, explained the broader educational mission of the garden: “The purpose of this was to create a space for learning in and among nature and to create greater opportunities for sustainable, healthy eating habits for our students.” The newly installed greenhouse has allowed the growing season to extend, enabling nearly 500 pounds of vegetables to be harvested already this year.

Educational and community impact

The Sunnyseed Garden is not just about growing vegetables—it’s about growing minds. The garden has become an integral part of the school’s curriculum, providing hands-on learning opportunities for students. “This will be our first opportunity of the school year to gather as a whole school,” Gallant noted.

The involvement of the students was evident during the event as they served food made from the vegetables they had grown in the garden. “The kids plant the seeds, they harvest the seeds, and then they make something with it the following year,” said Gallant. Students served bruschetta, made from garden-grown ingredients, to the attendees, demonstrating the full cycle of food production and consumption that they had learned.

One of the most touching moments of the event came when Michael Murray, Chair of the Council of Commissioners of the Eastern Townships School Board, spoke about the values instilled in students through their work in the garden. “A garden will teach you the kinds of skills that we need for our children to grow up with—things like collaboration, like communication, like patience,” said Murray. Reflecting on an earlier visit, he added, “I was here a little over a year ago, when the geodesic dome greenhouse was only an idea. What a fantastic asset for any school.”

A collaborative effort

The event underscored the significant collaboration involved in the garden’s success. Numerous community partners have contributed to its development, and this support was acknowledged throughout the day. One speaker emphasized the importance of partnerships, stating, “Without these partners, we wouldn’t be standing here today celebrating this achievement.”

A message from the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, was read aloud, recognizing the garden as an exemplary project. “This is truly an inspiring project, and you have shown tremendous vision and dedication to get it up and running,” MacAulay said in his message, which applauded the garden’s role in supporting food security in the community.

The project has also received strong support from Farm Credit Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Local Food Infrastructure Fund. This financial backing, combined with local fundraising efforts, has allowed the garden to continue to expand and serve not only the school but also the wider Stanstead community. The surplus vegetables grown in the garden are distributed through the Community Fridge, a local initiative that provides fresh produce to individuals in need during the summer months when school is not in session.

A community celebration

The event concluded with a tour of the expanded garden and its new features. Attendees were invited to explore the greenhouse and outdoor classroom-kitchen, which will continue to be used for educational workshops and community gatherings. Students and community members alike took pride in what they had accomplished together.

Principal Gallant, in her closing remarks, encapsulated the spirit of the day, stating, “Today we are here, among the literal fruits of our labour, to celebrate this seed turned into what you now see before you, our abundant, flourishing Sunnyseed Garden.”

As Sunnyside Elementary and the community look ahead, the future of the garden appears bright. With continued support from partners and the involvement of students and volunteers, the Sunnyseed Garden is set to remain a vital part of both education and food security efforts in Stanstead.

“We are so proud of what we’ve accomplished together,” said Gallant. “At Sunnyside, we believe in nourishing, educating, and mobilizing—and this garden embodies all of those values.”

With its roots firmly planted in the soil and the hearts of the community, the Sunnyseed Garden will continue to grow and flourish for years to come.