This was not the first time that pupils from Travnik school participated in the We Eat Responsibly project. Last year they were dealing with the issue of food waste and tried to reduce the amount of food being wasted in their own cafeteria. This year they decided to focus on the topic of Agrobiodiversity with the intent to deepen their knowledge of biodiversity and to try to do something new and inspiring.
Pupils presented the results of their effort at the Eco-conference, an event organized annually by the school. This year the fifth edition was held. The aim of the Eco-conference is to connect local eco-schools (the elementary school from Troubky, elementary school from Litovel and elementary school from Vraclavice), to inform about their activities and to share their results, experiences and ideas.
How I became a seedsman
„How I became a seedsman“ was the name of the presentation in which pupils of Travnik school described and explained the steps they had to take to fully understand the topic of seeds and agrobiodiversity. At first, it seemed difficult and complex, but then they started to study and investigate the problem more deeply and gradually acquired more knowledge. They discovered the existence of various seed banks and met different experts who explained them the origin of numerous types of seeds. They realized that a better way for growing plants is to use traditional Czech varieties. At last, their own experiment could commence.
Hard work in the garden
At first Travnik pupils visited a seedbank and chose 13 various types of seeds. From this moment on, they became seedsmen by using their own traditional seeds. Besides taking care of their plants, during the World Food Day they managed to organize a breakfast together, which was fulfilling the Eco-code of responsible consumption. Pupils worked especially hard in their garden so at the Eco-conference they could proudly show their results to other pupils and teachers. Amongst other vegetables and herbs, they managed to plant radish, spinach, wild tomato, various types of beans, pepper, turnip, marigold or shallot.
Afterwards, they let others taste their plants! Students from the secondary gastronomic school in Prerov helped out and together they prepared sweet and salty snacks like muffins, pies and other various meals. Meanwhile, they explained to the participants that planting these special seeds was not an easy task, especially because they had to experiment with diverse types of soil and different acidity levels.
Seed bombs
Last but not least, a very special guest arrived at the Eco-conference, Klára Hrdá, founder of The Seedbank Initiative in the Czech Republic. She presented her initiative and its goals to the students and teachers. Moreover, she engaged everyone in a special activity, creating seed bombs. Pupils were making small balls from soil and various seeds. Later, they could throw them on the ground somewhere in their neighbourhood and wait for the rain, sun, and soil to do their work and grow plants and flowers.
Not only this Eco-conference but the whole project was very successful and what more – fun for the kids! They learned many new key facts and gained further skills. Now they are aware of the importance of agrobiodiversity and traditional seeds and can successfully pass on the knowledge about this issue to others.
