Students will tour the GVSU campus and hike some of the GVSU trails while learning about Grand Valley and its implementation of nature into campus. This tour will showcase 'natural areas', which have been implemented for their benefits to the ecosystem and to stormwater drainage, the Arboretum, which is a diverse area of native and exotic trees, and more. 

The differences in anatomical structures of crops and native plants will be introduced. Students will also learn the differences between leaves, petioles, stems, shoots, roots, tubers, nuts, fruits and seeds. They will also learn how to use a taxonomic identification book. Terminology and skills learned by students will be applied in a fun plant identification scavenger hunt at the farm.

Understanding soil types is crucial for agricultural success.  Students will learn to conduct hand-texturing assessments to learn how various soil types affect water retention, nutrient availability, and overall plant health.  Using technology provided by GVSU, they will examine GIS soil maps of various West Michigan locations, including their own backyards, to see how maps help determine ideal crop selection and soil health.  

Students will learn about flower anatomy, conduct a flower dissection, and create an artistic model of flower anatomy. They will also learn about native pollinators, observe them in the wild, and learn how to foster their own native pollinator habitats. In the afternoon, students will learn about honey bees, sustainable honey sourcing, and conduct an inspection of a honey bee hive.

Students will have the opportunity to design and cook a dish utilizing seasonal produce they harvest from the sustainable agriculture project. Students will apply their knowledge and skills from the week and explain the main component in their dish, what part of the plant they utilized, how this plant was grown, and how their plant supports or relies on pollinators.