This week, our Grade 9 Outdoor Education students visited Northcote for their first “Green Industries” session with Bethany Puttkemery from
Smells Like Flowers, a local business that focuses on contemporary ethical floral design.
What is the Green Industries initiative?
This initiative introduces students to the various sectors of the green industries— agriculture, forestry, horticulture, floristry, and landscaping. Using materials, processes, and techniques commonly employed in these industries, students participate in hands-on projects that may include plant or animal propagation; production, maintenance, and harvesting activities; the development of floral or landscaping designs; and/or related construction activities.
Through sessions with guest speakers from various sectors of the green industries, students will develop an awareness of environmental and societal issues related to green industry activities, learn about safe and healthy working practices, and explore secondary and postsecondary education and training pathways and career opportunities in the various industry sectors.
Green Industries with Bethany
Students had the opportunity to learn about how Bethany started her business, her passion for making it sustainable and ethical by using 100% local, non-dyed, non-bleached Canadian flora, and the creative way she uses alternative products such as wire and natural materials to help form her creations to reduce the microplastics that can enter the environment from items such as florist foam.
She also shared her top tips to become a working creative:
After learning about Bethany and her business, our Grade 9 OE students worked together to create a stunning dried flower arrangement in the barn at Northcote using flowers and greenery foraged and dried on-site. Students also collected flowers and harvested pumpkins from the farm to create beautiful fresh flower arrangements. Our community will have the chance to see their creations as they will be on display this weekend at our Fall Fair.
Thank you, Bethany, for sharing your time and expertise with our students!