Where Food Comes from and How to Create a Class Garden Just About Anywhere.

A lesson plan on creating a small-scale class garden will be demonstrated. The strategy is to provide access to resources, and enable students and teachers, to learn about food production and distribution systems, gardening, vegetable plants, and the nutrition they provide.  The module is tailored for schools that are “land-limited.” The objective is to increase knowledge and understanding of crop plants and food production and enable participants to 1. Build a raised bed or construct a “veggie bag” 2. Identify vegetable plants that can be grown locally 3. Plant, care for and harvest plants 4. Know the benefits of local foods.  Activities will include: An explanation of the concept of local food systems; a presentation on how food gets to your grocery store; how food gets to a farmer’s market; and how you can grow your own food plants for study or consumption. Raised bed and “veggies in a bag” plans will be illustrated and a list of materials and plans will be provided.