Final report for YENC25-236
Project Information
- What we taught: GROW partnered with Western Technical College(WTC) to provide hands-on agriculture learning experiences in our state-of-the-art indoor growing space for middle and high school students.
- Educational approach: Field trip opportunities introduced students to Sustainable Agriculture practices that are ecologically sound, economically viable and positive for people. Additionally, through partnership with WTC students gained first-hand knowledge of the Agribusiness and Horticulture programs and future career paths available in our area.
- Statement of conclusions: Hundreds of middle school and high school students engaged in the indoor growing space, and their enthusiasm was real. They reported learning and asked that we integrate foods they sampled on the field trips into upcoming student events. This model is a successful way to engage youth in sustainable agriculture.
- Adoptions: At the end of our field trip season we hosted an open house for area educators to share the work we accomplished with these grant funds. The event connected local educators with staff from our organization and the Agribusiness program we partner with at Western Technical College
- Increased agriculture knowledge and skills to 20 high school students through multiple hands-on work sessions with growers practicing organic and a wide range of growing techniques.
- Introduced at least ten groups of middle school and high school aged youth to sustainable agriculture career opportunities through agribusiness and horticulture program campus tours and hands-on project based learning in the indoor growing space.
- Shared results of the learning experiences and partnership with regional school districts and partners to build upon the outcomes.
Educational & Outreach Activities
Participation summary:
The work accomplished with this grant was highlighted in our e-newsletter. We also hosted an open house for educators at the end of our field trip season to showcase the opportunities provided through this grant funded project. It also showed educators from different disciplines from around the area how the study of plants and food systems can be tied to many different educational goals.
- Host webinar or in-person workshop
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge level of growing food in an indoor growing space vs. in a garden
Knowledge level of post high school education and/or jobs in horticulture and agribusiness
Two-hundred and sixty-five seventh grade students were surveyed when they arrived for a field trip and after received a two question survey to evaluate their self assessed knowledge gain. The following results were observed:
- Knowledge level of growing food in an indoor growing space vs. in a garden
- Q1 average pre-trip score 2.767
- Q1 average post-trip score 3.806
- Knowledge level of post high school education and/or jobs in horticulture and agribusiness
- Q2 average pre-trip score 2.47
- Q2 average post-trip score 3.516
1. Agribusiness Program - lessons may include milk or cheese tasting, a Did this product start in Ag? game, milking and/or tractor simulator
The key strengths of the curricula were that it was well tailored to the resources we have in our growing space as well as to the learning goals of the educators who chose to bring their students to our facility for a field trip. The lessons were hands-on and engaging for students, which increased student buy-in and participation.
The key weakness of these lesson plans are that we need to continue to work on our timing to ensure plants are ready and healthy to be used as learning tools at the right time. We also need to dig deeper into the content to ensure we are able to meet the learning goals of students with a stronger level of base knowledge.
Project Outcomes
The project increased organizational support by allowing us to expand our offerings and develop curriculum that will be used into the future to further benefit more students and educators.
After participating in an indoor growing experience and using ingredients grown indoors to make and sample a kale pesto dip, students exclaimed, "That was the Bomb! Can we make that for our FFA Holiday Party?!"
We have so many ideas for ways to connect students with agriculture. We will keep exploring new programs and will stay connected to SARE for the great resources and support.