Round Hill School brings community to the table

By Lori Larsen

Learning about the origin of our food is not only a vital lesson for all of us but an incredibly important way to connect to those, farmers, producers, sellers and providers who keep us fed.

Round Hill School staff and students are going the extra mile to ensure that students have a “hands-on” approach to learning this lesson while making those connections to others in the community.

As one of the 30 successful recipients of the Farm to Cafeteria Canada grants for the 2022 funding period, Round Hill School has partnered with local organizations and community members to enhance the student learning experience.

“We are fortunate to work with great local businesses, producers and farmers like Irvings Farm Fresh, Nahirniak Farm, Twists & More, Prairie Pride Meats, East Side Marios and many generous families in the area,” noted Round Hill School teacher, Taren Holden. “These connections are allowing us to provide healthy, locally produced meals for our students.”

Working together, students plan, source local ingredients, prepare, serve and clean up after hot lunches to the school population, family and community members who are able to attend.

“The students are gaining lifelong food literacy skills through these meals and we have seen so much growth in students already.”

Students were given an opportunity to share their thoughts on the initiative with members of the com- munity during the Round Hill Renaissance Agriculture Foundation AGM held on February 9 at the Round Hill Community Centre.

Students and community volunteers connect through the Farm to Cafeteria program initiated by Round Hill School and the Round Hill Renaissance Agriculture Foundation.

Pictured left to right back row are community volunteers Ryan Bergman, Debbie Blouin, Round Hill student 14-year-old Jon Wocknitz, Round Hill School teacher Taren Holden and community volunteer Jean Teeple. Front row left to right are 12-year-old Round Hill Student Seth Ewald, 11-year-old Grayson Maccan, 12-year-old Allie Bergman, 14-year-old Bobbi Jo Lucas and 11-year-old Shelby Carr.

Round Hill School student Kristian HarrisonBenson spoke about the fun in taking part in the program. “I enjoy working outside, it gives my legs a break and stretches them while we are harvesting carrots, potatoes and more.” Although Kristian admits that the colder weather is a bit more challenging, so layering up with clothing is necessary, she thought an outdoor classroom would be even better so more time could be spent outside learning.

Farm to Cafeteria Canada is a non-profit charitable organization that works to transform how food is ex- perienced, learned, and celebrated in all schools across Canada. This is encouraged by assisting schools and their relationships with public health partners, local food providers, community members and groups to establish a farm to school approach for eating and enhance food literacy skills for students and staff alike.

“Between the Round Hill School, Round Hill Renaissance Agriculture Foundation and community members, we have placed a high importance on fostering intergenerational relationships,” said Holden. “We know that there is immense value when wisdom, life experiences and knowledge is shared between different age groups. So having our local community members help students in the kitchen is something we are eternally grateful for.”

Besides the benefits of knowing what they are eating, preparing their own meals and understanding the value of locally grown and produced food, the students are also making connections with those outside the school community and bridging connections with elder community members.

“It is well documented that intergenerational relationships foster a sense of connectedness, and the reciprocity that occurs between different age gaps provides feelings of well being and increased self esteem for all involved,” explained Holden. “These relationships lower incidences of social isolation and loneliness while providing a sense of purpose and value within the community.”

Round Hill School student Koba Severson also shared some thoughts. “I really like when we do our hall meals because our classmates, teachers, staff, and school get a free lunch and the food we make is really good.”

Koba added that the program has helped the students learn about cooking temperatures and how different foods cook. “When we get older, it will benefit our lives knowing how to cook, and maybe lead us to working at a restaurant someday.”

Koba also thought it would be beneficial to allow the Grade 4 and 5 students to come in and observe the older students cooking and even let them assist where feasible. “I would really recommend this event to other schools. It is a fun way to see and get to know your community.”

Round Hill School hosted a spaghetti meal on January 31, and will be hosting another meal on February 28 at the Round Hill Community Hall at noon.

Students, staff, family and community members are all welcome to come “break bread” with others while enjoying a homecooked meal.

For more information about the Farm to Cafeteria program visit www.farm tocafeteriacanada.ca/.

Landowners looking for access to property

By Murray Green

A group of landowners from the northwestern end of Camrose County approached council about granting access to their lands at the regular meeting on January 24.

The County received a letter of concern about access to lands by Bill These, Sheila Campbell (Edmonton Land Trust), Gord Dykstra, Dave Busenius, Cynthia and Richard Schultz. The access to six quarters of private land east off the north end of RR 215 and entering the NW 32-49-21-W4 changed when a new property overtook property near those in question and denied access to the lands.

“I move that Camrose County council accept the presentation from the attending parties as information,” said councillor Doug Lyseng.

Since the County doesn’t own the land it can’t enforce the landowners to build a road.

Council accepted the presentation from the attending parties regarding the request for the County to negotiate a legal Right of Way, or some legally binding agreement to prevent the arbitrary exclusion of some ratepayers from using the access east off the north end of RR 215 and entering the NW 32 49 21 W4 review the file and explore opportunities for access as requested.

Along with six quarters of private land, two quarters of crown grazing lease, and at least six quarters of crown land have no other direct access other than a trail going east off the north end of RR 215 and entering the NW 32 49 21 W4.

This trail was always made available through the good will of the owner of NW 32. About 50 years ago, the trail was developed as an oilfield road and continued to be used by all who had a stake in these lands, especially those who pasture cattle back there.

The letter requested a lasting agreement to prevent the arbitrary exclusion of some ratepayers from using this historic access.

A 60 foot right of way along the existing access would require about 10.3 acres.

“We are writing to express our concern over a land access problem and to request that the County take action to rectify the situation. The issue involves access to the land in the Ministik Lake area, NE of Miquelon Lake, including crown land for recreation, crown grazing lease land and privately owned land,” said Richard Schultz.

“These areas have been accessed for many decades by a trail going east off the northend of RR 215 and entering the NW 32 49 21 W4. Unfortunately, in recent years, access through the gate on the oil road began to be granted on a subjective and biased manner. We request that Camrose County advocate for the residents and the rate payers of this part of the County, to keep this road open for all who need it,” added Cynthia Schultz.

“As of late 2022, we now have no access to get to our land in Camrose County. When we purchased this property in 1969 the existing access was off of range road 214 north of Miquelon Lake road Highway 623. At this time there were many other privately owned parcels of land back in the Ministik and lease land as well.

This was the primary trail used by farmers and ranchers to gain access to all of these lands. This trail was used up until 2012. At that time they had put up gates and signs restricting all vehicular traffic on the land and we then had to utilize a different access point to get back to our section. They only allow one rancher to drive on that land at this point. The second access point was at the north end of range road 213, there was a trail onto our land. This was utilized up until the ’70s when an acreage was approved and a house was built at the end of range road 213.

“The new access point that we had to start using to get our cattle back to our land was at the end of range road 215 north of Highway 623. There is an oilfield road that was put in and that road was what we utilized for access up until fall of 2022. As of fall 2022, our access was taken away,” said Bill These and families, in a letter to council.