Project Overview
Annual Reports
Commodities
- Vegetables: greens (lettuces)
- Additional Plants: flowers
Practices
- Education and Training: demonstration, display, mentoring, networking
- Sustainable Communities: new business opportunities, public participation, urban agriculture, urban/rural integration, employment opportunities
Abstract:
Our project introduced the concepts of sustainable agriculture and its impacts on our environment, economy, and community to students and teachers through on-site educational gardens and activities at schools and community organizations. We helped each educational site develop curricula plans for gardening, entrepreneurship and value-added enterprises, along with strategic planning for personal and community objectives. Family farmers were also introduced into program activities. Additionally, we created a regional network of schools and community organizations that are exchanging information on innovative programs and curricula, disseminating information to other educators and community leaders, and promoting sustainable agriculture education for young people.
Project objectives:
1.) Introduce the concepts of sustainable agriculture and its impacts on our environment, economy and community to students and teachers by establishing on-site educational gardens at pilot schools and in community gardens in six states.
2.) Integrate local family farmers -- especially limited resource farmers -- and other agriculture professionals into educational activities at these schools and gardens through the development of hands-on curricula for science, mathematics, literacy, economics, social skills, history and art based on sustainable agriculture activities. These farmers and professionals will be introduced to students as role models for viable career paths and occupational choices.
3.) Create a regional network which could expand to a national network that promotes sustainable agriculture education for young people by establishing linkages between the participants so they can communicate with and learn from each other.
4.) Disseminate program results to other educational professionals and agricultural information providers so successful programs can be adapted in other school systems and educational settings