Select Townsville primary school students will soon have the chance to get their hands dirty and grow their understanding of nature through a new school-focused gardening initiative launched by Townsville City Council.
Scheduled to run throughout the entire school year, the pilot Seeds to Success program aims to build ecological stewardship among schoolchildren whilst igniting an appreciation for connecting with nature, growing local food, and reducing food waste.
Applications are now open, with primary school teachers invited to nominate their classrooms for one of the six Seeds to Success spots on offer in 2026.
Teachers can apply for one of two garden packages, each valued at over $3,000.
The Kitchen Garden Package includes a two-year membership to the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Program, supporting food education and focusing on the flavours and health benefits of fresh, seasonal food.
The Native Ecology Garden Package includes a mix of 25 local native plants, a native bee Workshop delivered by the Townsville & District Beekeepers Association and a bee hotel for each student in the participating class.
Both packages provide a garden starter kit, including a raised garden bed with living soil and mulch.
Townsville Mayor Nick Dametto said the initiative was an investment in the city's – and children's – future.
"Seeds to Success is about empowering our youngest Townsville residents with the knowledge and skills they need to understand the food production cycle and to care for and appreciate the natural environments around them," Cr Dametto said.
"By introducing students to kitchen gardens from a young age, we're hoping to develop their understanding of where food actually comes from and how they can be part of the process.
"Given how far removed most families are from the food production process these days, you wouldn't blame some kids for just assuming the food on their plates comes directly from the grocery store – this program is about getting back to the roots of the growing process, so to speak.
"Additionally, Seeds to Success also offers an option that introduces young people to ecology by giving them all the ingredients they need to establish their own native garden and learn about how finely balanced nature is.
"The program is deliberately flexible, so teachers can choose the package that best suits their students – we really want to see the six lucky classes that are successful make this initiative suit them and their learning goals.
"I can't wait to see what our young growers and gardeners achieve this year in the first round of this great new program."
Cr Dametto said Council would provide the initial resources required to establish each garden and would offer ongoing support to schools throughout the duration of the program.
Applications are now open to Townsville primary schools and can be completed online at the Seeds to Success web page.
Applications to Seeds to Success close at 5pm on Friday 27 February.
