Student Vegetables WIN at Dorset County Show

This past weekend saw the return of Dorset County Show, the county’s biggest celebration of rural life, and were on site at the show with our own stand representing EMA and our campus sites The Walled Garden and Thorngrove Garden Centre. We made sure to get involved with competitions and entered a few vegetables grown by students from EMA. We are over the moon to confirm that some of the veg grown by our EMA students won prizes!

Moreton Tutor Finley had a few words about the project over the last year:

“Students started off by planting out from seeds (some were able to be planted straight into the raised beds, however most were grown in the polytunnels) here at the Moreton campus.

Students monitored these seedlings until they were ready to be moved outside into the beds. Those who had their own raised bed were able to have input on what they would like to grow and took great pride in the continual maintenance and upkeep of these. Students made sure that the plants had all the right conditions to be able to flourish. Towards the end of the academic year they used a variety of this produce to create a simple meal, some chose pasta while others made a mixed root veg soup!

It was fantastic to see students take pride with their raised beds and get to see the brilliant project from start to finish, some students were able to go on to reflect on what they will be doing differently in the following years. It was a great project to end the year on, embedding some vital skills for vocational work placements. Winning prizes at Dorset County Show is a real testament to their hard work, and is the icing on the cake. We’re all very pleased!”

Also, a big thank you to Chrissy from the animal care team at EMA in ensuring the students veg were entered for consideration at the show. Let’s see if we can outdo ourselves next year!