The Roots Around the World guide is a collection of activities and projects geared towards students in the three cycles of elementary school and the first year of high school that highlights the role urban agriculture plays in the Southern and Northern hemisphere. Through learning about the production and consumption of food in urban areas, youth discover that simple daily actions have a large impact on people’s health, their communities and the environment, on a local and international scale. This educational guide is inspired by Alternatives’ urban agriculture project: the Rooftop Garden Project (www.rooftopgardens.ca). Alternatives supports community-based initiatives that work to promote the economic, social, and political rights of people and communities in the North and South that are affected by poverty, discrimination, exploitation and violence. Together with volunteers and institutional and community partners, the Rooftop Garden Project has started urban agriculture initiatives in Montreal and around the world: South Africa, Mali, Brazil, Senegal, Morocco and Cuba. These urban agriculture initiatives are oriented towards citizen involvement in the creation of edible, green, community-based urban spaces.

Produced with the support of the Government of Canada through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Produced with the support of the Government of Canada through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

The Roots Around the World guide -- Why create a guide about urban agriculture? -- Pedagogical approach and objectives -- How to use this guide: Overview of Activities -- Elements of the Quebec Education Program -- What’s at Stake in Urban Agriculture? -- The Chef’s Recipes -- Activity 1: History of Maria -- The Salsa Story -- Mango Salsa -- Activity 2: Growing Food in Our Own Backyards -- Activity 3: Around the World in a Fruit Salad -- Creative Project: Making A Class Recipe Book -- Evaluation Rubric -- The Community Feast -- Activity 1: A Food Tour -- Activity 2: Growing Food in Cities around the World -- Activity 3: Seeds without Borders -- Creative Project: Organizing a Community Feast -- Evaluation Rubric -- The Transformation of Waste to Compost -- Activity 1: A Tomato’s Journey -- Activity 2: Where Have the Melons Gone? -- Tale of a Long Distance Industrial Farm Melon -- Activity 3: The People in Our Food Chain -- Activity 4: In the Garden at Last! -- Creative Project: Composting Organic Waste -- Evaluation Rubric -- Annex -- Seed Starting Activity -- Seeding Calendar -- The Rooftop Garden Project -- Urban Agriculture Around the World Information Cards -- Resources.