Cultivating Resilient Communities in Urban Spaces

Soil Stewardship and Sustainable Gardening in Rexdale SNAP Neighborhood

About the Project

Our SNAP Project in Rexdale brings sustainable agriculture into urban schools, creating hands-on learning experiences that align with numerous curricular strands, build community ties, encourage local food systems, and promote inclusivity. Through the SNAP project, students and educators are empowered with skills and knowledge that extend beyond the classroom and back to their families and communities.

What We Offer

Our Soil Stewardship Workshops are designed for urban settings, covering a range of topics:

Container Gardening

Create mobile vegetable gardens in art-enhanced containers.

Home-based Worm Compost

Explore the basics of composting for nutrient-rich soil.

In-Ground Gardens

Learn sustainable soil and crop management techniques.

On-Farm Experiences

Visit the farm to see sustainable practices in action
Credit card mockups

Flexible Workshop Design

Modules available for all seasons, grades and learning environments.

How It Impacts You

Our workshops are designed around three essential dimensions:
The Steward
Focusing on the grower, these workshops integrate mental health practices, offering participants an interactive, hands-on experience. Local artists collaborate to incorporate art and music, enhancing self-expression and storytelling.
The Soil
Emphasizing the principles of healthy soil, we promote minimal disturbance, the use of compost, and crop rotation. Participants discover the rich life within the soil and draw parallels between soil and all living things.
The Seed
Emphasizing the principles of healthy soil, we promote minimal disturbance, the use of compost, and crop rotation. Participants discover the rich life within the soil and draw parallels between soil and all living things.

Don’t just take our word for it

Hear from some of our amazing students and teachers
““Working with growing growers was a truly rewarding experience for both my students and myself as an educator! Thank you!  I found the practical component of the workshop the most helpful. I am completely satisfied with all the components (science, mental health, hands-on building, art and handouts).  In the future, I would welcome more opportunities like working with worms, planting, etc, anything environmental is great! Increasing the impact could look like sharing our learning through a school wide assembly/ sharing slideshows of what happened in the classroom”
Teacher
Grade 5 / 6
“Our school benefited from how these workshops connected to curriculum and promoted high student engagement.  We would like to see more workshops extending to other grades.”
Principal
TDSB School
“How to make our own vegetable buckets. All you need is rocks and minerals, bottles, compost, Invisibles, and Visibles. Soil and mulch. Also a big bucket with 2 tiny holes. My rose is when we got to decorate the bucket with Mr. Robinson and Mrs, Robinson. My thorn is when we had to pick up gross worms.
Student
Grade 5
Pricing and Fees

Workshop Fees

Half-Day Workshop (3 hours): $700 + taxes

Two Facilitators

Skilled instructors who guide the session from start to finish.

Curriculum Access

Interactive, hands-on curriculum aligned with curricular strands and designed for urban settings.

Setup and Cleanup

Our team handles all setup and cleanup, so schools don’t need to worry about logistics.

Mental Health & Art Components

Our trauma-informed approach incorporates mental health best practices. Facilitators collaborate with local Creatives to integrate visual art and music activities.
Pricing and Fees

Material Costs

Container Gardening Classroom Set: $1,000 - $1,200 for a class set of 24 containers.
Other Notes: Some materials, like grow lights for winter workshops, may incur additional charges beyond this budget.

24 Self-Wicking Containers

Each student receives a 5-gallon pail designed for mobile gardening.

Art Supplies

Materials for students to personalize their containers, often led by a local artist.

Soil and Compost

Living soil and compost (including vermicompost) are provided, tailored to the container gardening system.

Seeds and Seedlings

Seasonal vegetable seeds or seedlings are included, offering a variety of plants suitable for container gardening.

Additional Funding Options

Alternative Funding Sources: Zawadi Farm partners with organizations and local funding bodies to help reduce costs for schools and community groups. If budget constraints are an issue, we can work together to explore grants, sponsorships, or funding assistance.