Closing the Loop: Youth Education in Food Preservation, Composting, and Beneficial Critters

Commodities

Practices

Dorothy England Legacy Farm, is a farm that will deliver a seven-session, hands-on youth education program for ages 8-12 focused on regenerative agriculture through food preservation, fermentation, composting, and beneficial critters as living systems. Youth will harvest produce, practice freezing, dehydration, fermentation, canning, and observe the microorganisms that preserve food and the decomposers that return nutrients to soil. Innovation lies in connecting preservation and compost through visible and invisible critter activity, using storytelling, journals, and system maps to build retention. A digital educator guide will share this low-cost, replicable model with other educators facing space, budget, and availability challenges.

Increase regenerative agriculture understanding of 15 youth ages 8-12 through seven hands-on learning sessions focused on food preservation, fermentation, composting, and beneficial critters as living systems. Youth will explore ecologically sound practices by observing how microorganisms preserve food and decomposers recycle nutrients into healthy soil. Economic viability will be introduced by comparing low-cost preservation methods that reduce food waste and support household food supply. Community awareness and stewardship will be emphasized through respectful harvesting, food traditions, and sharing knowledge. Youth will be introduced to regenerative agriculture career pathways through applied activities in food systems, soil ecology, and natural systems education.