Osaka: Carol’s talk on establishing a children’s food forest.

Tuesday, 1st April, 2014.

This took place at Momo-no-ie, an environmental centre in Osaka.

Yo gave a talk about the environmental activities she had been giving at Momo, particularly with children.  A young teacher spoke of her experiences in a garden at her school.

 

 

 

 

Then a young man spoke about the work he had been doing with growing food crops, particularly rice, in the city, so that adults and children could see where their food was coming from, and be involved in its production:

 

Another young man spoke about his adventures in sustainable living, then Chisa introduced Carol.

 

Here’s Carol.

 

Carol had sent her talk to Chisa, so Carol would say a bit, then Chisa would read a translation.  Translator Eri was there as well .

 

Carol’s talk referred at times to the book she had written on establishing a children’s food forest in a Brisbane primary school.

 

Carol explained that an important part of her project was handing over much of the decision-making about the garden to the children.  Yo assisted with the visuals.

 

Carol explained how she was then able to base much of the other school curriculum, e.g. maths, on requirements for the garden, which helped the children to understand the relevance of these other subjects.

 

Here is a copy of Carol’s book which Chisa has translated into Japanese.

 

Carol’s talk included pictures of her students working in their garden, which were very well received.

 

Carol’s talk concluded with questions, and lots of people wanted to talk to her afterwards.  Attendees then shared some of Shiho’s delicious supper, and Chisa left for the 3.5 hour drive back to Miyamo-cho.  We will see Chisa again before we leave Japan.

Yo walked us back to the station and back we went to our Tomato Hostel, ready to embark on the next stage of our journey.

Well done Carol!