Year 8 Student Callum Potter with Estate Staff Mark Bennet & John Baldwin
Reading Community Energy Society (RCES) has recently awarded a grant to fund a vegetable growing project at Highdown School and Sixth Form Centre in Emmer Green. The school used the grant of £500 to purchase vegetable planters in a project spearheaded by Year 8 student Callum Potter.
Callum and the Estate Staff built trugs and planted vegetables in them including lettuce and leeks, as well as mint, oregano and sage. The produce is now being used in the school kitchens to feed Highdown Students.
Estate and Facilities Manager Michael Jones said “Thank you Callum for the hard work and thank you RCES Community Grants scheme for your support”
Being smart with where we grow our food is imperative for the future of the planet, as the expansion of land for agriculture is the leading driver of deforestation and biodiversity loss . And encouraging a love of vegetables is a great thing too. Swapping out beef and lamb from our diets would reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by an incredible 20%.
Reading Community Energy Society grants are used to support local sustainability initiatives throughout Reading, and funding ranges from £100 – £5000. If you would like more information please see the links on our website or contact grants@rva.org.uk.
