Vegetable garden at Stichting Educacion Profesional Basico

At Stichting Educacion Profesional Basico in Oranjestad, Aruba, students discovered sustainable food production by creating a vegetable garden from the ground up. Starting on a completely barren plot, they worked together with local partners to build a productive growing space, learning how to cultivate vegetables and herbs in Aruba’s hot and challenging climate. Through collaboration with farmers and community organisations, they gained access to essential resources such as manure and practical knowledge about climate-adapted cultivation techniques.

The project demonstrated how determination, creativity and local cooperation can transform even the most challenging environment into a flourishing garden. Along the way, students gained hands-on experience with plant growth, soil health, composting, water management and natural pest control. Ecological processes that are often learned only in theory became visible and meaningful through daily practice. Not only did the vegetables and shrubs thrive, but the impact on biodiversity became visible within just one year. Students and staff observed an increasing number of bird species, including several rare species, demonstrating how even a relatively small green space can create valuable habitat and ecological benefits.

As a culinary school, Stichting Educacion Profesional Basico connected food production directly to students’ future professions. Home-grown fruits, vegetables and herbs were used in seasonal dishes, inspiring discussions about local food systems, sustainable sourcing and ways to reduce food waste. This strengthened students’ understanding of the full journey from soil to plate.

The garden also became a shared responsibility for the entire school community. Students, teachers and staff worked together to maintain the growing space throughout the year, fostering teamwork, ownership and pride. The first harvest was a particularly rewarding milestone, demonstrating the value of perseverance and collective effort. Beyond the tangible results, the project also had a positive impact on students’ wellbeing, behaviour and engagement. Taking responsibility for the garden fostered patience, teamwork and a stronger sense of connection with their school environment.

In addition, the school established a partnership with Arikok National Park, enabling the exchange of native plant species and knowledge about Aruba’s natural ecosystems. By working with indigenous plants, students learned about biodiversity conservation, climate resilience and the importance of preserving local ecological heritage alongside sustainable food production. Students were also introduced to resilient agricultural approaches such as agroforestry, broadening their understanding of sustainable food production and the importance of climate-adapted farming systems for the future.

“We started with bare ground and created a garden that feeds both people and learning.”