Food security is an issue in Canada of increasingly critical importance. Based on the most recent statistics, 5.8 million Canadians, effecting 1.4 million children, live in food-insecure households. Through his class, Kyle Tapper teaches high school students about food security, sustainability and how to grow their own food in Northern areas using hydroponics. In this workshop, Kyle Tapper, with the assistance of Roanne Whitticase from F2SBC, will detail his experience in starting hydroponics in the classroom, the importance of passion and connection with community on the topic of food security and will encourage others to start doing the same in their schools by giving them the know-how needed.
Secondary school teachers (Gr 8-12)
Mr. Kyle Tapper is a teacher at Mackenzie Secondary, a council member for the town, involved in community, a devoted husband and father but above all, he is crazy about gardening, specifically vegetables. Spring, summer, fall and winter, it doesn't matter. Soil or no soil, he has to grow. He is so passionate (obsessed) that he designed a course for growing for high school students. He is so passionate, the District of Mackenzie gave him the title of Agricultural Opportunities and Food Security Liaison, a title they created for him. He is so passionate that even though he has a fear of presenting in front of peers, he is willing to do it to just talk about growing vegetables in the classroom.
Roanne Whitticase is the Farm to School BC Community Animator for the North Central region, representing Prince George and the surrounding area, which includes all independent and Indigenous schools and school districts 28, 57 and 91.
Roanne, a farmer and local food system enthusiast, is grateful to live, work and grow on the traditional territory of the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, in Prince George, BC. Having studied in Community and Population Health Sciences, Roanne is dedicating herself to food security and local food initiatives. Roanne is currently establishing a local co-op farm and engages in environmental community and school education support through her other work with Recycling and Environmental Action Planning Society (REAPS PG).