During SDSS's Young Growers Day in April, 2016, student Bridgette showed her new friends from G.C. Huston Public School what an Aloe plant looks like and talked about its healing properties.

Saugeen District Secondary School’s Young Growers Program will host three area schools later this month as part of their Saugeen Greenhouse outreach.

The program has been part of the outreach project for 12 years and the intent is to inspire an interest in plants and horticulture in Grade 1 students who spend the day observing, learning and working with plants with emphasis on hands on participation. Students will sow their own vegetables and annuals, learn the proper techniques for transplanting seedlings, plant care, micro-green planting and tropical plant propagation.

Students will also have an opportunity to socialize with the high school students and experience biological pest control, releasing thousands of ladybugs.

Mini lessons have been developed by high school students based on the elementary science curriculum. The day is designed to be as fun as possible for the young growers with story time, sing-alongs and colouring activities. The high school students continue to watch over the program from afar and visit their new elementary school friends, to make sure the growing is going well and to provide extra educational support.

SDSS will host Hepworth Elementary School on April 18, G.C. Huston Public School on April 19 and Arran Tara Elementary School on April 20.