Sarah O’Neil
I have been involved with Yates for the last nine years, beginning as an entrant in the very first Yates Vegie Growing Challenge, becoming a winner and going on to be the Yates Brand Ambassador for the last five years. I now help organise and mentor the Vegie Growing Challenge and enjoy watching the gardens of enthusiastic adults and kids flourish over the spring months.
As a keen gardener, a garden writer and a mum I know how important it is pass on the love of gardening to future generations. I have written three gardening books, ‘The Good Life’ (sponsored by Yates), ‘Growing Vegetables – an easy guide for all seasons’ and ‘Play in the Garden’ which encourages kids and adults to garden together and have fun doing it. I am passionate about seeing kids grow food and learning where it comes from. It is a basic life skill and once learnt will never be forgotten. Encouraging kids to get into the garden always brings fun and joy to everyone.
Ruud Kleinpaste
Gardening is so much more than just… gardening
Over the past decades it has become quite clear that we have started a “journey of dis-connect” with Nature.
We have crossed quite a few Planetary Boundaries (climate change, ocean acidification, air pollution, water degradation, land use change, over-population, etc) and have, by and large, lost the Operations Manual of Planet Earth.
What makes matters even worse is the fact that the next generation of New Zealanders is becoming more and more disconnected from Nature as each year goes by; digital devices demand more time and “eye-balls” than good old conversation, social interaction and respect for the laws of Nature.
Luckily, we live in a Biological world, which implies that some of the answers we seek are to be found in biological processes and Nature’s genius.
Learning from Nature is called Biomimicry and it not only gives us great ideas for sustainable living, it also inspires us (and the young ones) to experience what it is like to make fabulous new discoveries in our very own backyard.
And the logical conclusion of all these thoughts is … yes… gardening with our kids
I love the fact that Yates are concentrating on the next generation and to encourage Nature-Literate Kids to have a go at re-joining the magical space where humanity took great strides forward!
I have been involved with Yates for the last nine years, beginning as an entrant in the very first Yates Vegie Growing Challenge, becoming a winner and going on to be the Yates Brand Ambassador for the last five years. I now help organise and mentor the Vegie Growing Challenge and enjoy watching the gardens of enthusiastic adults and kids flourish over the spring months.
As a keen gardener, a garden writer and a mum I know how important it is pass on the love of gardening to future generations. I have written three gardening books, ‘The Good Life’ (sponsored by Yates), ‘Growing Vegetables – an easy guide for all seasons’ and ‘Play in the Garden’ which encourages kids and adults to garden together and have fun doing it. I am passionate about seeing kids grow food and learning where it comes from. It is a basic life skill and once learnt will never be forgotten. Encouraging kids to get into the garden always brings fun and joy to everyone.
Ruud Kleinpaste
Gardening is so much more than just… gardening
Over the past decades it has become quite clear that we have started a “journey of dis-connect” with Nature.
We have crossed quite a few Planetary Boundaries (climate change, ocean acidification, air pollution, water degradation, land use change, over-population, etc) and have, by and large, lost the Operations Manual of Planet Earth.
What makes matters even worse is the fact that the next generation of New Zealanders is becoming more and more disconnected from Nature as each year goes by; digital devices demand more time and “eye-balls” than good old conversation, social interaction and respect for the laws of Nature.
Luckily, we live in a Biological world, which implies that some of the answers we seek are to be found in biological processes and Nature’s genius.
Learning from Nature is called Biomimicry and it not only gives us great ideas for sustainable living, it also inspires us (and the young ones) to experience what it is like to make fabulous new discoveries in our very own backyard.
And the logical conclusion of all these thoughts is … yes… gardening with our kids
I love the fact that Yates are concentrating on the next generation and to encourage Nature-Literate Kids to have a go at re-joining the magical space where humanity took great strides forward!