Can you build a successful business in the countryside? How much work does it take to establish your own farm? What is freeze-drying? And can a small idea really grow into a successful business?
Students at Grundzāle Primary School are finding answers to these and many other questions by learning through doing.
This school year, Grundzāle Primary School, in cooperation with the association “Grundzāles skolai”, is implementing the initiative project “Know. Learn together. Do it yourself.” as part of the “School in the Community” project. Its aim is to promote students’ motivation to learn, sense of belonging and active participation in school and local community life, with particular support for students who are at risk of early school leaving or social exclusion.
As part of the project, students visit local businesses, farms and production facilities to learn about different professions, entrepreneurship opportunities and real working environments. These visits are not just about watching and listening – students take part, try things out and gain hands-on experience.
From birch sap to pizza
In September, during one of the first workshops, students learned about food processing and production at the companies “Birzī” and “Leilas gardumi”.
At “Birzī”, students learned how birch and maple sap is collected and processed, toured the production facilities, and tasted drinks with different flavours. The visit to “Leilas gardumi” was just as exciting, giving students an insight into the daily life of a family-run business and the chance to make their own pizza.
Pizza-making turned into a truly creative workshop – each student made their own pizza, giving it a unique shape. Afterwards, they compared their creations and, of course, proudly tasted them. The story of kombucha production and product packaging was just as interesting, including how labels are made using 3D technologies.
From farming to freeze-drying
Meanwhile, Grade 9 students visited the organic farm “Līves” in Vireši Parish and the freeze-drying company “Zaļā Vaļā” in Lejasciems Parish.
At “Līves”, the students learned about the farm’s daily work, met the animals and, through conversations with the owners, Gunta and Andris Gavari, discovered how much work, time and investment are needed to run and maintain a farm.
At “Zaļā Vaļā”, the students learned about the freeze-drying process and took part in practical work themselves by preparing cranberries for further processing.
What did the students take away from the experience?
The most valuable lessons are often the ones the students discover for themselves.
“You can build a business in the countryside.” “I could become a chef.” “I learned that running a business is harder than I thought.” “You have to try things you have never done before.”
These words show that hands-on experience not only broadens students’ knowledge, but also encourages them to dream, be bold and think about their future. And perhaps, for some of these students, these workshops sparked the very first idea of a future profession – or even their own business.
School is also where life happens
The workshops of the project “Know. Learn together. Do it yourself.” show that learning does not end when the school doors close. School can also be a local farm, a production facility, a business, and the people who are willing to share their knowledge and experience.
Days like these fill students’ everyday lives with new knowledge, conversations, laughter and shared experiences. They develop not only skills, but also a sense of belonging to their school, their local area and their community.
And most importantly, the students are becoming increasingly convinced of the message: “Know. Learn together. Do it yourself!”
More information is available on the Grundzāle Primary School Facebook page.
The initiative project is funded by the “School in the Community” project, implemented within the framework of the European Social Fund Plus project No. 4.2.3.1/1/24/I/001.
Prepared by: Dace Kalniņa, member of the association “Grundzāles skolai” and project coordinator at Grundzāle Primary School
