Incorporating Lessons in Sustainable Agriculture from Farm Field Trips into K-8 School Gardens in Low-Income Neighborhoods

Commodities

Practices

Children 1^st has long-standing partnerships with
several farms in the Wichita area.  Starting in the Spring
2024 semester, our K-8 students will visit these farms on field
trips, interview the farmers, and learn sustainable farming
techniques they can replicate in their school gardens.  The
students will also organize a science fair to present the lessons
they’ve learned to the public, and lead tours of their school
garden.  Planned activities will focus on pollinators and
beneficial insects, permaculture, sustainable energy,
vermiculture, value-added products, and agribusiness careers.

• 100 low-income students from four K-8 Wichita schools will
  visit three or more local farms to learn sustainable farming
  practices.
• Four schools hosting C1^st Education Gardens will
  incorporate lessons learned (e.g. permaculture, pollinators,
  vermiculture) from field trips.
• One or more guest speakers will come to each C1^st
  school with an Education Garden and talk about sustainable
  agriculture and careers in agribusiness.
• Two science fairs at All Saints School.
• Ten or more nutritious recipes (e.g. salsa, smoothies, pizza)
  developed by students using produce from the Education Gardens to
  introduce the concept of Value-Added agribusiness.