'The Children Are Our Future

05/03/2007

What do you think about a five year old not knowing that potatoes are grown in the ground?

Well when award winning giant vegetable grower, Mr Gerald Treweek found out that his five year old grandson had no idea where potatoes came from, he made it his mission to teach children more about gardening and the food we eat.

Soon after his discovery, Gerald contacted Aquaculture-hydroponics to ask for their help. The team at Aquaculture-hydroponics assured Gerald that we would supply him with any hydroponics equipment and hydroponics nutrient he required. 

Gerald – who with Aquaculture-hydroponics help is currently trying to beat the world record for growing the largest onion - was aware that hydroponics (AKA gardening without soil) is used around the world to teach children about growing and food.

Knowing that he had Aquaculture’s support, Gerald contacted ‘Hasland Infant School’ in Chesterfield, South Yorkshire and asked if he could build a vegetable garden based on the principles of hydroponics.  As you would expect, the school agreed to such a worthwhile project.

So with the help of Aquaculture-hydroponics, the Probation Service and South Yorksire based companies, and after months of hard work, a vegetable garden at the school was built. The first vegetables – shallots and onions – will be planted by the children on Thursday 8th March 2007.

As Gerald highlights, the aim of the garden, which is made largely of recycled material, is “for the children to plant, nurture, cook and eventually eat the vegetables. This will help the children to become more involved with the environment around them. After all, the children are our future”

Technical Director at Aquaculture Ltd, Mr Simon Spinks adds: “I have children myself, so when Gerald contacted us about the vegetable garden, I was more than happy to help. We have supplied Gerald with environmentally friendly growing media, and will be providing him with all the systems and nutrients he requires – and of course any hydroponics growing advice.

Gerald will continue to help the children plant and grow the vegetables throughout the year – and Aquaculture-hydroponics will supply whatever he requires.