Future Arborist? Botanist ? Lepidopterist?

A group of little angels from PCF (PAP Community Foundation) Braddell Heights visited the Farm on 16th August. They came to see how two different ways namely the hydroponics and the conventional soil cultivation method are used to grow vegetables.

First of all, the lovely and enthusiastic children were guided around the Farm to see how the hydroponics systems is used for commercial vegetable farming in specially designed greenhouses like this.

Next, they were introduced to soil cultivation.

"Mix the soil with some organic fertilizer, compost and also coco peat in the soil.." "Aunty, it stinks.." Use your hand campaign. With the tools provided, the students got to mix the soil in the correct proportion.

"I feel like I am a gardener now...""After mixing the soil, fill the pot with the soil...""Next, we have to prepare the cuttings for planting...""Children, handle the plants with tender, loving care..."For plants to grow well, you will need to water the plants...

"My turn, my turn to water the plant...""After watering, leave the pot plant on the floor. Aunty will pack it in a plastic bag for you to take home..."Finally, break time...Yummy, yum, yum....

Lastly, the children also learn how to appreciate the butterflies of Singapore. They learned the 4 stages in the life cycle of butterfly.

"See ... how the caterpillar poo on my hand," said Tony, our in-house guide.

They were led into the Butterfly Lodge where they can come face to face with the butterflies. Though a few of the children were afraid to stay in close proximity with the butterflies, on the whole most of the children that went through the program, thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Hopefully, this visit would inspire some of them to be our future aborist, botanist or lepidopterist.