Ballarat Action Climate Co-Operative (BACC) and Food Is Free Inc. Youth Garden Bed will be launched in time for Youth Week 2021 thanks to a $2,000 grant from the Andrews Labor Government.
Michaela Settle Member for Buninyong officially opened the garden bed today, an existing garden bed at Food Is Free will be managed and maintained by BACC.
Through maintaining the garden bed, BACC can build empowerment for young people in Ballarat who are passionate about action on climate change, help young people learn the skills to grow their own food and spread the message of sustainable gardening.
Victorian Youth Week is made possible by grants of up to $2,000 to councils, community organisations and schools to host inclusive and accessible events. Victorian Youth Week 2021 is a statewide celebration of the talents, achievements and contributions of young people which starts on Saturday 26 June and will run throughout July.
Other local events to be held include "Recy'kool" a youth designed and delivered Art Project that turns waste into art for young people in Ballarat, a youth photography project for Golden Plains Shire and Moorabool Shire’s Youth Action Group will host a Youth Talent Show. The events have all been developed in partnership with young people, for young people, and to showcase young Victorians’ talents, dreams, and contributions to their local communities.
Quotes attributable to Michaela Settle Member for Buninyong
“Establishing a youth run garden bed at Food Is Free will help empower young people in our community who are passionate about taking practical action to deal with climate change. It will also help with food security issues and skill up our young in how to grow their own produce.”
“Youth Week is important in helping young people to connect with each other and I am so impressed by the number of youth-led activities that we will see across our community over the next few weeks.”
Quotes attributable to Finley Japp Ballarat Action Climate Co-op
“Ballarat Action Climate Co-op is delighted to be collaborating with Food is Free Inc. in opening this garden bed.”
“We value community-driven climate action at all levels and we're excited that this will be an opportunity for young people to develop not only gardening skills but a sense of commitment and appreciation for sustainability.”
“We look forward to the positive impact it will have on both the community of environmentally-active young people we represent, and the broader Ballarat community.”
Quotes attributable to Lou Ridsdale Founder/Director of Food Is Free Inc.
“Food Is Free Inc. are really excited to be opening up a garden bed to the inspiring leaders of Ballarat Climate Action Co-operative to garden alongside us at our Green Space in Ballarat Central.”
“We’ve enjoyed and valued our recent collaboration together, and we are excited about other environmentally beneficial projects we no doubt will work together on in the future.”
“Regenerative gardening, amongst other well-aligned principles, is something we both value. The young people involved are leading by example with growing food for their community, and we applaud their commitment to all things green.”
