Transforming School Grounds: How One Melbourne School Built a Farm in 24 Hours and Is Feeding Its Community

In a heartening example of what can be achieved when creativity, determination, and community come together, Bellarine Secondary College in Drysdale, Victoria, turned a barren soccer field into a thriving, sustainable farm in just 24 hours. This extraordinary transformation isn’t just about a patch of land being repurposed—it’s about fostering community spirit, educating the next generation, and providing healthy food to those in need. It’s a model that could inspire schools everywhere to rethink their space and role in a sustainable future.

The Vision: A Farm for the Community

The project, which began in October 2022, was the pilot for the Farm My School initiative—a vision co-founded by permaculture experts Ben Shaw and James McLennan. They wanted to show that schools could be more than just places of learning; they could be catalysts for environmental and social change. In just one whirlwind day, they managed to convert a neglected 1.5-acre field into a highly productive farm using a no-dig gardening method. This method is not only sustainable but also fast, allowing schools to implement it without disrupting their existing infrastructure.

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The farm now provides fresh produce for the school, the surrounding community, and local food banks. What started as a school project has evolved into a community resource, helping local residents access healthy, locally grown food. It’s an inspiring testament to what can be achieved with passion and collaboration.

The Educational Impact: Hands-on Learning

Beyond the tangible benefits of providing food, the project offers invaluable educational opportunities for students. Bellarine Secondary College has integrated the farm into its curriculum, offering Year 10 students the chance to study agriculture and horticulture. Students are now involved in every aspect of the farm—from planting seeds to managing crops. This hands-on learning approach fosters a deeper understanding of sustainable farming practices, soil health, and the food supply chain. It’s practical, impactful, and incredibly relevant in today’s world, where sustainability is becoming a key priority.

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A Call to Action: Why Other Schools Should Follow Suit

Bellarine Secondary College's project proves that with the right support, schools can be much more than educational institutions—they can become hubs of sustainability, self-sufficiency, and community collaboration. And the good news is that this isn’t a one-off. With the Farm My School initiative gaining traction, many other schools across Victoria and beyond are now looking to replicate this success.

This is where Urban Green Farms comes in. Specializing in turning underutilized urban spaces into green, productive farming areas, Urban Green Farms is the perfect partner for any school ready to take the leap toward sustainability. Their expertise in urban agriculture, regenerative farming, and edible landscape design makes them the go-to specialists for schools looking to implement a similar project. Urban Green Farms brings the knowledge, tools, and support to ensure these projects are not only successful but sustainable in the long term.

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A Model for the Future

What happened at Bellarine Secondary College isn’t just about food—it’s about creating a culture of sustainability, resilience, and shared responsibility for the environment. It’s about teaching our children how to care for the planet while also addressing critical issues like food insecurity. As more schools embrace these models, we’re likely to see a profound shift in the way we think about education and the role that institutions can play in tackling climate change.

For schools that are inspired by Bellarine Secondary College’s success, Urban Green Farms stands ready to help turn your vision into reality. Whether you’re working with a small urban space or a large campus, Urban Green Farms can guide you through every step of the process—from design and installation to long-term maintenance and community engagement.

Conclusion: Transform Your School, Transform the Future

The Bellarine Secondary College farm is proof that schools don’t have to settle for being just a place where students learn from textbooks. They can be dynamic spaces that foster real-world skills, support the community, and play an active role in the sustainability movement.

To all educators, administrators, and community leaders: If Bellarine can turn a sports field into a farm in just 24 hours, what can you achieve in your own school? By partnering with experts like Urban Green Farms, you can turn any unused space into a vibrant, educational farm that feeds not only your students but the broader community as well.

Let’s take inspiration from this remarkable project and work together to build a more sustainable future—one school at a time.

For more information on how Urban Green Farms can help bring your school’s farm to life, visit urbangreenfarms.com.