Smooth and Social Root's Youth Urban Agriculture Education Pilot Program

Project Overview

FNC21-1269
Project Type: Farmer/Rancher
Funds awarded in 2021: $8,920.00
Projected End Date: 01/31/2023
Grant Recipient: Smooth and Social Roots
Region: North Central
State: Illinois
Project Coordinator:
David Edwards
Smooth and Social Roots

Commodities

Not commodity specific

Practices

  • Education and Training: youth education

    Proposal summary:

    Smooth and Social Root’s Youth Urban Agriculture Education Program is a pilot out-of-school time for children in an underserved community in Chicago.  We will foster, in the youth, an appreciation for growing their own food.  We want children to see farming as an option for self-sufficiency in historical food deserts, a healthy lifestyle choice in an obese nation, as well as a viable career path.   The program will be implemented on our urban farm in Chicago.  We also owns a cafe near the farm.  The cafe will utilize the food harvested on the farm to provide meals to its patrons.  This will allow the children to experience the entire farm-to-table process.  The program will last for 20 weeks.  The children served for this pilot program will range in age between 8 and 14 (3rd through 8th grade).  We will establish and inclusive environment for children of varying abilities.

    The curriculum will be divided into two main ideas: Farming & Production.  The curriculum will align to the Illinois State Standards in Science, Social Science, Career Pathways, and Social Emotional Learning.  The children attend field trips and engage the community in events like Movies on the Farm or Yoga on the Farm. 

     

    Project objectives from proposal:

    Children will be able to

    • consider farming as a career path.
    • increase their knowledge in agriculture skills, business skills and overall environmental stewardship. 
    • demonstrate their knowledge of the farm to table process.
    • articulate the importance having access to fresh food in an urban environment.
    • understand where food comes from.
    • become familiar with a variety of different foods, healthy meal preparation and healthy lifestyle choices

     

     

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.