Station 7

HOW ARE WE EDUCATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF GROWERS?

And WHO is doing the teaching?

This station is about programs that teach and inspire. RATE IDEAS for new educational programs, and WEIGH IN on values that youth programs should uphold, the best ways to connect with adult students, and the barriers that keep some knowledgeable teens and adults from teaching.

Urban agriculture programs can provide...

  • 🌾 useful skills in everything from seeds to self reliance, from crop planning to construction, and from biology to business skills.

  • 📚 educational opportunities in science, mathematics, and technology, climate change, history, culture, and more.

Four sections invite your feedback:

We hope to hear from both young folks and adults - so tell us what you think!

Photo of three children excitedly working with a teacher between covered crop beds at Mill Creek Farm
Hands-on learning at Mill Creek Farm; photo courtesy of Soil Generation
Photo of seven teens posing proudly in front of a flowering garden and two signs that read Las Parcelas and Winners' Circle
Young folks working at Las Parcelas with Norris Square Neighborhood Project Photo courtesy of Soil Generation
Photo of teacher and teen student standing in a field of blooming sunflowers and other crops, looking at a freshly harvested okra
Youth agroecology educational field trip hosted by Soil Generation; photo courtesy of Soil Generation

🏫 Section 1: Young folks in K-12 schools

Schools are the one of the best places to reach as many young folks as possible in the practice and history of growing and raising food to nourish and feed their communities. Additionally, Philadelphia's schools already have a huge amount of land owned by the School District on which student gardens and farms could be located. Complete the survey and activities below, then keep scrolling to Section 2!

🙋🏿‍♀️ Section 2: Programs for young folks outside of school

It is also important to support agricultural programming outside of schools, during after-school hours and over the summer - either at local gardens and farms, or in the spaces where young folks spend most of their time already, like rec centers and parks. Complete the activity below, then keep scrolling to Section 3!

🧑🏽 Section 3: Programs for adults who want to learn

Many adults who want to learn about growing don’t know where to turn or lack the time or resources. Philadelphia needs programs for adults who want to learn the basics of how to grow, as well as for those who need advanced training in things like soil testing, constructing a greenhouse, plumbing, administrative and business skills, and more. The most effective adult education programs will meet people where they are by finding the best way to fit into peoples’ busy lives. Complete the activity below, then keep scrolling to Section 4!

👩🏾‍🌾 Section 4: Opportunities for people who want to share knowledge

Like learning, teaching can be a privilege of those who have time and resources to spare or connections to educational institutions. In order to inspire the next generation of growers, it is important that teachers look like the communities they are teaching - that they can share common life experiences and contextualize agricultural practices in a community’s culture and history. Anyone with the skills and drive to teach should be able to do so, so it is important that we overcome whatever barriers you face to sharing your knowledge.

Thank YOU for YOUR THOUGHTS about THE NEXT GENERATION OF GROWERS!

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