Educating urban youth via decision cases and curriculum on hoop house vegetable production

View the project final report

Commodities

Practices

• Crop Production: high tunnels or hoop houses
• Education and Training: youth education
• Farm Business Management: farm succession
• Sustainable Communities: employment opportunities, local and regional food systems

This project introduces youth in Soutth Minneapolis to hoop house vegetable production. We will develop a decision case study highlighting an experienced winter hoop house spinach producer, an educational video produced collaboratively with youth, and a multi-day experiential learning trip to engage with hoop house production and local food markets. Materials and activities will be developed by Anne Pfeiffer, under the supervision of Dr. Grossman at the University of Minnesota and in conjunction with Youth Farm. Youth Farm is a leadership development program that utilizes food as a catalyst for social change and community engagement, with an emphasis on training through gardens and greenhouses. Outcomes include youth who are aware of hoop house production and the challenges and opportunities associated with careers in vegetable production.

1. Increase youth critical thinking skills through a Decision Case Study presenting farmer experiences using hoop houses for vegetable production.
2. Provide hands-on, experiential STEM education including concepts in soil science, entomology, biology, and engineering.
3. Increase capacity of urban youth from diverse backgrounds to grow vegetable crops during the school-year via training in hoop house production.
4. Introduce youth to opportunities for business and market development through season extension and high value horticultural crop production.
5. Share project results with at least 3 additional urban high schools that have farms integrated into their curriculum.