Drop in the Ocean (DITO) is a student-driven and led environmental group that strives to establish sustainability as a CIS school value through systematic change, community dialogue, and education.

 

Urban Farming (UF) is a service group and strand under DITO. At Urban Farming, our tagline is: "Revitalising Hong Kong’s concrete jungle with innovative farming techniques, Urban Farming promotes learning-by-doing and environmental awareness starting from CIS’ doorstep."

 

I joined Urban Farming as a member in year 11, we grew vegetables and plants in the community garden near the school campus. When COVID-19 hit and we suddenly switched to online school, our service was brought to a halt.

 

This school year (2020-21), I am a co-leader for UF, and I aim to raise more awareness about the importance of urban gardening in the school community.

 

Unfortunately, due to the uncertainties of online/in-person school with the COVID-19 pandemic, we were unable to garden at school. However, we have instead decided to provide each of the 14 members with the opportunity to garden at home, either with regular plant boxes and soil, or with aquaponics kits.

 

Other projects Urban Farming will be working on this year include proposals for a vertical green wall installation and new composting machine at school, as well as incorporating more indoor plants throughout campus.