S is for Schools, Seed Libraries, Signage to Support Sharing and the 3 S's (Soak, Solarise and Submerge weeds!)
Schools
When local resident Asha started at a new primary school she noticed that there were some simple changes that could take place to decrease the amount of waste that the school was producing. By engaging in a positive dialogue with the principal, teachers, students and school community, she was able to contribute towards the following:
“Here are the changes that our school has made:
BEFORE: We didn’t have compost We always threw our rubbish in the bin.
AFTER: We recycle We use the compost bin, We separate soft plastic or just have nude food, We have a worm farm
, We are also working on the veggie garden and chickens
!” Contribution by Asha
Image: A woman teaching 3 small children in a school garden. There are beautiful ripe red tomatoes and lots of leafy greens.
Seed Libraries![](https://transitionaustralia.net/files/2021/08/Seed-library-edendale-farm-225x300.jpg)
There is a real buzz in the air (the bees are getting excited!) because seed library’s are popping up all over Banyule. They give community members access to free seeds! As part of a Banyule community project to connect people with healthy home grown food. Local resident Rachel has compiled the a map of local seed libraries. To find your nearest library click here. If you are aware of Banyule seed library not already on the map then please email Rachel: rachel@johnbloem.com
Image description: Photo of the little seed library in the shape of a boat with draws, at Edendale farm. The text at the top of the library reads ‘Home Harvest Seed Library Take Sow Save & Share’.
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Sharing and Signage9 to Support Sharing
Many of us are more than happy to share our excess. Signs are a wonderful way to help people to feel comfortable to take excess food/herbs/vegetables plus enriches the community spirit/feel. Have you considered what you are comfortable sharing? There are platforms set up to help you to share larger items like utes/vans/cars. For example “go get” and “car next door”.
Image description: A sign on a front wire fence that reads ‘VEG ON THE VERGE TAKE WHAT YOU NEED’ with hand drawn plants and flowers decorating the sign.
The 3 S’s: Soak, Squash and Solarise![](https://transitionaustralia.net/files/2021/08/with-logo-soak-shutterstock_1968476482-300x200.jpg)
Marina Bistrin’s “What’s in your green bin?” workshops show us how we can compost weeds from our garden rather than putting them in our green bin, using the framework of 3 S’s: Soak/submerge Squash Solarise. Marina offers a variety of workshops in Banyule with a passion for facilitating cold composting workshops. For Workshop bookings, contact: contact Marina Bistrin: marinabistrin@gmail.com