Should gardening be taught in schools?
This is the question I was pondering to myself the other day. As someone who loves vegetable gardening, the answer for me would be easy ... an astounding absolutely! But what about someone who may not be into vegetable gardening at all, or only "dabbles" in it? Why would anyone just dabble in vegetable gardening? We'll save that question for another time :)
However, I think it is a great debate question. Let's face it, food is "kind of" important and if we can teach our youth where it comes from, how to grow their own, I believe it will go a long way for a more sustainable future.
And if gardening is taught in schools, should it be a mandatory class or an elective?
I would like to get your thoughts on this? Comment below and let me know.
Yes, and not only taught, but the food used in the cafeteria after they are successful!
ReplyDeleteThat is an excellent idea dlaverty ... having the students enjoy the "fruits" of their labor.
ReplyDeleteSome schools already maintain a school garden. Technical high schools already teach horticulture in all its forms including vegetable gardening. some schools have classes and/or clubs. And I think every grade schooler has grown a tomato or a sunflower from seed in science class. Making it an elective at the middle school range might work but I don't see schools building on greenhouses in the northern states. I think, maybe, a more comprehensive unit on food and sustainability might be a better approach.
ReplyDeleteexcellent idea and yes you are right, school gardens are popping up all over the place ... as they become more and more popular I think gardening among youths will continue to grow (no pun intended)
DeleteI'm in the Rocky Mtns, our schools have a program sponsored by a local celebrity chef. Greenhouses are at most of the schools and the kids do an excellent job growing all year. Our sunshine helps quite a bit but cold season veggies are easy in the northern states.
Deletewhat a great idea? Who receives the food?
DeleteYes gardening should be taught in schools and yes it should be mandatory. Gardening teaches where your food comes from, gives you more sustainability, and a respect for agriculture. But, an added bonus kids who garden are more likely to eat their harvests (increasing their consumption of fruits and vegetables) and they are getting healthy outdoor physical activity.
ReplyDeleteexcellent point ... my son loves to grow broccoli and fortunately for me, he also loves to eat it as well
DeleteIf we made gardening mandatory in school, Monsato would jump in a sponsor it filling children's minds with their lies. Public schools are all about funding, afterall. Therefore I think gardening is best left up to the parents to teach their children.
ReplyDeleteI hear what you are saying, but it would be up to the parents and teachers at that point to do their due diligence on sponsorship
DeleteAbsolutely...what awesome math and science projects...
ReplyDeleteMy son's school has a garden and they like to combine the garden project with various science lessons
DeleteMy daughter had a vegetable garden in pre-K where they used the food. The challenge is the school schedule, and how it lines up with the tasks of planting, tending, and harvesting.
ReplyDeleteThe challenge in my son's school is getting volunteers
DeleteI think all kids should know where the food they eat comes from and what it looks like as it grows. I'd love to see gardening in educational curriculum!
ReplyDeleteyes gardening should be taught, as well as things like how much it costs to live and what you need to do to live on your own fresh out of high school. the subjects should including finding a mechanic,finding an apartment/house,banking,grocery shopping,cooking,how to find a job,how to buy a car,I truly believe our high school students are set up for failure under the current schooling system. most have no clue how to balance a check book,start an IRA/retirement account,write a resume' or any idea how much it costs to live with out mom and dad.learning about gardening,food prep,shopping would be the first step to teaching our kids to live and survive.
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