Blog ❯ 5 Ways to Teach Kids About Agriculture
5 Ways to Teach Kids About Agriculture
In a time where many of us live far away from farms, teaching kids about agriculture is important. Thankfully, there are plenty of resources and initiatives out there to educate kids on where their food comes from and get them interested in all things farm related. From farm tours to community outreach programs, classroom presentations to farmers markets, there are plenty of options for enhancing kids’ agricultural education. Edutainment is key for making a lasting impact on the minds of children – here are 5 ways you can teach kids about agriculture.
Trips to the Farm
There’s nothing like a good old-fashioned trip to the farm to show kids what goes on behind the scenes. Organizations like LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) help set up educational farm visits for kids. They work with farmers, scientists, consumers, and the food industry to inspire and enable sustainable farming that is prosperous, enriches the environment and engages local communities.
Trying to figure out how to host educational visits on a farm can be daunting, but LEAF is there to help. They help farmers to ensure safety and provide resources, training, tools, and knowledge to provide excellent educational experiences on the farm. How they assist:
Planning talks gauged at the right level for any age group
Preparing for those awkward questions
Tailoring visits to different school age children or to a variety of care farming clients
Preparing risk assessments
Practical considerations such as hygiene, managing students and working with teachers
Schools - Shop Local!
Farm-to-school programs empower students to take healthy eating into their own hands, and kids tend to be more interested in eating healthy food when they know more about it. It’s important to not only provide food from local farms in schools but provide an education around it as well.
An array of people benefit from farm-to-school initiatives, including farmers whose businesses grow when schools source from local means, anxious parents who worry about their kids eating habits, and of course the kids themselves who are healthier as a result.
Fun at the Farmers Market
Through initiative programs like the Power of Produce (POP) Club, farmers markets across the United States and Canada are teaching kids how to make healthy eating choices. The POP program which started at the Oregon City Farmers Market invites kids to learn more about some of their favorite foods and introduces them to new ones. Some of their events include planting sunflower seeds and making jam, which gives kids the chance to better understand where food comes from and how it’s made. They even provide kids with a $2 allowance every time they visit to pick a food to bring home, to better immerse them in the world of healthy eating.
With the help of the Farmers Market Coalition, many other markets are taking a leaf out of the POP Club’s Success, building their own kid-friendly programs. In Charlottesville, Va., kids are invited to blend their own smoothies and play games identifying different fruit and vegetables. This gives kids the chance to get to know fresh produce a little better and become interested in trying out different options. A survey found that 83% of kids who took part in these activities tried and liked a new food at the Charlottesville City Market, thanks to the POP Club.
You can ensure kids feel involved in the shopping process at the farmers market by preparing grocery lists together, having them help you locate items, and encouraging them to try free samples and meet the farmers too. Explain to them in an age-appropriate way that the different foods they see provide different vitamins and minerals to keep their bodies healthy.
Action for Healthy Kids says that certain activities at the farmers market can help students increase their social awareness and encourage responsible decision-making too. Connecting with local farms teaches kids about the source of their food provides them with an opportunity to explore new perspectives on food and society. Kids develop a better understanding of agriculture and the affect it has on the community by getting involved in Farm to School conversations. It’s easier for kids to understand the importance of where their food comes from when they can place a local famers name or face with their food.
Bring the Farm to the Classroom
If you can’t bring the kids to the farm, you can always bring the farm to the classroom! Organizations like the BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation work with educators to bring agriculture and food education to students throughout the province. They work with farmers, agriculture specialists, and teachers, to educate students on the story of food and farming in British Columbia.
As mentioned previously, once kids are better informed about where their food comes from and how it is made, they are more likely to try it out. Teachers can go one step further and talk to students about the nutritional value of food, why it’s good for them, and different ways they can integrate it into their diets. They can even create games and give prizes as rewards when kids try out different foods! It’s important to continue having conversations about agriculture and nutrition after the initial discussion, because a diverse healthy diet:
Keeps skin, teeth, and eyes healthy
Supports muscles
Strengthens bones
Supports brain development
Supports healthy growth
Boosts immunity
Helps the digestive system function
Provide Take-Home Treats
…And we’re not just talking about food! Providing a take-home element of any community outreach program is essential to keep the conversation going outside of the classroom or farmyard. Edutainment based coloring sheets and activity books will leave a lasting impression on kids, encourage conversations with family members, and work as a reminder of the fun they had and the facts they learned too!
Case Study: Potandon Produce
Potandon Produce approached Kidzsmart to help them communicate the nutritional benefits of potatoes to kids and families. Potatoes were being banned in US school cafeterias; they were viewed as “unhealthy” due to the way they were often consumed (topped with other things).
Kidzsmart proposed an online interactive story with simple animations and sounds. We developed The Klondike Family potato characters by working with photographic images of actual potatoes, which Potandon Produce mailed us from Idaho. The characters were then cast in an engaging and educational story which highlighted the nutritional benefits of potatoes. The story was narrated by a popular children’s author and performer.
Some of the supporting materials for the outreach program included:
Downloadable coloring and activity sheets
A potato-themed growth chart where we integrated the characters of Green Giant and Sprout into positive, nutritional messaging
A second online story was commissioned the following year. This would coincide with National Autism Awareness Month and feature a new character and themes of inclusion and awareness
An animated holiday greeting video was created with the character’s singing along with some simple animation
As always, Kidzsmart used edutainment to create an impactful community outreach program to highlight the nutritional value of potatoes, and how they can contribute to overall family health and wellness.
About Kidzsmart Communications
We believe your content should be more than just another coloring book. Kidzsmart is a creative agency that is is your spokesperson to modern families, and we’re dedicated to contributing to the greater wellbeing of kids.
For over 20 years we’ve worked with the government, healthcare, and educations sectors as well as global brands in the restaurant and hospitality, tourism, and professional sports industries. Our team has the expertise to expand your family outreach, and we have the tools to do it right. Top of feed means top of mind, and we’re dedicated to creating greater family content that makes a meaningful impact on the lives of kids and families!
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