Growing for Green and for Good

In Social Studies, 3rd graders learn that kids can be entrepreneurs and that small businesses play important roles in their communities.  To reinforce these concepts of Economics and Community, this week we launched an organic vegetable farm.  We started by planting a variety of Winter crops, including carrots, spinach, onions, beets, beans, cauliflower and celery.  Students named their farm, and read the story Uncle Willie and the Soup Kitchen to understand how businesses can support critical community issues like homelessness and hunger.  We also had a Garden Cafe - a silent conversation conducted entirely on paper - to explore their thoughts about what makes a good citizen and what choices we have for spending money in our community.  As the Spring progresses, we will tend our farm, figure out our costs and pricing, and plan/organize a produce sale.  As for our farm profits, those will be donated to the Food Bank of Southern California.  The students will see from start to finish what it takes to run a small farming business and how these businesses can support their local communities.