Visitors entering Caledonia Regional High School in Hillsborough, about 25 kilometres south of Moncton, encounter long hallways adorned with vibrant posters and student artwork. This spring, these halls connect to an innovative four-season geothermal greenhouse, harnessing ground heat to maintain ideal growing conditions.
Hands-On Learning for Students
Principal Emily Ostler Colpitts announces the greenhouse opens in April, enabling year-round cultivation of various vegetables, followed by a food forest featuring raspberries, blueberries, and apples.
“I think the impact on students is going to be immeasurable,” Ostler Colpitts states. “Taking care of a living thing gives such a sense of pride and responsibility.”
The facility integrates into daily curriculum, spanning math, science, culinary technology, biology, and nutrition. Students track plant growth, mastering planting and harvesting techniques.
Ostler Colpitts conceived the project three years ago and partnered with Foods of the Fundy Valley, a non-profit dedicated to food security in Albert County.
Tackling Community Food Insecurity
Alicia O’Hara, a board member of Foods of the Fundy Valley, notes the initiative aligns perfectly with the organization’s mission. Produce from summer harvests will donate to local food banks.
Hillsborough faces elevated food insecurity risks, with limited access to one grocery store, lower socioeconomic conditions, no public transportation, and scarce resources, O’Hara explains.
Megan Mace, the organization’s coordinator, describes Albert County as a “fresh food desert” due to poor access to grocery stores. The greenhouse extends New Brunswick’s short three- to four-month growing season, boosting fresh food availability.
Grade 11 student Gracie-Lynn Jackman highlights benefits for low-income peers, as fresh produce often costs more than packaged alternatives. “I think it’ll be really rewarding seeing how the community is going to be helped by something we’re doing at our school,” she says.
Grade 12 student Emma Barkhouse anticipates enhanced lessons on agriculture and geothermal energy.
Inspiration from Port Elgin Regional School
The project draws from Port Elgin Regional School’s 2021 winterized greenhouse. Principal Christoph Becker reports students spend one hour daily starting seedlings, planting, and watering, maintaining journals and recording data.
“When we went to school, the academics were the ones that succeeded and those that weren’t necessarily academics felt that they didn’t belong. And this offers everybody a chance to succeed,” Becker says.
Port Elgin features a salad bar with homegrown lettuce, reducing cafeteria expenses. Educational assistant Chris Morrison shares that greenhouse yields supply culinary classes for kale bites, pickled beets, relish, and salsa, with some products sold locally.
“Children need to learn these skills,” Becker emphasizes. “I’m super happy that other people are following suit.”
