A pioneering initiative born at Pershore College is set to triple its footprint this year as a horticultural student launches the second chapter of his ‘Get Children Growing’ project.

Ross Dyke, a final-year BSc (Hons) Sustainable Horticulture Technology student at Warwickshire College and University Centre (WCUC), the higher education arm of college group WCG, is based at Pershore College.

Following a successful pilot year that engaged approximately 8,000 children through 5,000 sunflower grow kits and regional pop-up events, the project is expanding nationwide with continued support from industry leaders Westland Horticulture and British Garden Centres.

For its second year, the project is offering an enhanced range of resources to schools:

• ‘Funky Veg Kits’: Designed for 20 select schools to spark curiosity with unconventional, home-grown produce.
• ‘Seeds for Schools’: Providing 30 schools with comprehensive kits, including 10 varieties of seeds (fruit, vegetables, flowers and herbs) with professional-grade pots and compost.

Ross,who found his passion for horticulture in his 30s, is driven by the project's ability to provide a grounding sensory activity for children. He said, “Last year went really well, but we were limited in what we could do. After such positive feedback and overwhelming demand from schools across the UK, I decided to go bigger. We’re focusing on getting kids gardening within their schools because it benefits their mental health and allows them to be responsible for a living thing, watching it flourish into something they can eat or pick."

The project continues to receive high-level support from college leadership. Josh Egan-Wyer, Head of School for Animal Science, Land-Based Studies and Horticulture at Pershore College, commented: "We are incredibly proud to support Ross as he takes this project to the next level. At WCUC and Pershore College, we don't just teach; we encourage our students to be leaders. This project is a perfect example of how an innovative idea can have a profound positive impact on the communities we serve. By putting seeds and soil directly into the hands of children, Ross is fostering a sense of pride and environmental stewardship that will benefit us all for years to come."

Industry partners have also reaffirmed their commitment to the project:

• Westland Horticulture: “Westland is proud to support the ‘Get Children Growing’ campaign as part of our commitment to nurturing the next generation of passionate gardeners. Inspiring children to get hands-on with growing not only builds practical skills and confidence but also fosters a lasting connection with nature and the environment. These young growers are the rising stars of the future - tomorrow’s horticulturists, innovators and environmental stewards. By championing initiatives that encourage early engagement with gardening, we are helping to cultivate the passion, knowledge and expertise that will shape and strengthen our industry for years to come.”

• British Garden Centres: “We are delighted to support the ‘Get Children Growing’ initiative alongside Westland. This project perfectly aligns with our commitment to inspiring young gardeners and fostering a love of plants and growing. By supporting Seeds for Schools and our Funky Veg Grow Kits, we're giving children hands-on gardening experience and helping them discover the joy of growing their own food. We believe that connecting young people with nature and gardening is invaluable for their development, and we're proud to be part of making this happen.