Currently SEEDS is funding the development of a “Farm to school table” curriculum, an eco-literacy educational program being piloted by Anneliese Schools in Laguna Beach. The curriculum is being written by Dr. Margaret Heisinger, whose background in anthropology adds a unique dimension to the development of the lessons. The overall mission of the project is to awaken in children a reverence and respect for the earth that sustains us, an appreciation and knowledge about homegrown foods and their nutritional benefits, and a physical experience of learning that uses nature as a classroom.
The farm to school table project contains ten units on themes such as: composting, water, culinary garden, soil, leaves, farmer’s market, seeds, ecosystems, birds and insects. The curriculum offers students a comprehensive inter-disciplinary, hands-on study of how and why people grow food and opportunities for students to understand and think about the links between food and society- science, art, anthropology and nutrition. At the Children, Youth and Environments Center of Research and Design (university of Colorado) researchers have studied the positive effects that gardening has on academic performance, particularly in the areas of science and attitudes towards learning, and more interestingly discovered that high quality gardening programs boosts self-esteem and interpersonal skills (due to the collaborative nature of school gardening). Moreover, children are more likely to eat vegetables and fruits if they have a hand at growing them. For a more comprehensive article on this research please refer to “The child in the garden: an evaluation review of the benefits of school gardening” Blair (2009).
We are deeply grateful to all the families and people who have helped make this grant come to life and hope through your continued support we will further this land stewardship work.
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