The Farm to School Table Project

Currently SEEDS is funding the development of a “Farm to school table” curriculum, an eco-literacy educational program being piloted by Anneliese Schools in Laguna Beach. The curriculum is being written by Dr. Margaret Heisinger, whose background in anthropology adds a unique dimension to the development of the lessons. The overall mission of the project is to awaken in children a reverence and respect for the earth that sustains us, an appreciation and knowledge about homegrown foods and their nutritional benefits, and a physical experience of learning that uses nature as a classroom.
The farm to school table project contains ten units on themes such as: composting, water, culinary garden, soil, leaves, farmer’s market, seeds, ecosystems, birds and insects. The curriculum offers students a comprehensive inter-disciplinary, hands-on study of how and why people grow food and opportunities for students to understand and think about the links between food and society- science, art, anthropology and nutrition. At the Children, Youth and Environments Center of Research and Design (university of Colorado) researchers have studied the positive effects that gardening has on academic performance, particularly in the areas of science and attitudes towards learning, and more interestingly discovered that high quality gardening programs boosts self-esteem and interpersonal skills (due to the collaborative nature of school gardening). Moreover, children are more likely to eat vegetables and fruits if they have a hand at growing them. For a more comprehensive article on this research please refer to “The child in the garden: an evaluation review of the benefits of school gardening” Blair (2009).
We are deeply grateful to all the families and people who have helped make this grant come to life and hope through your continued support we will further this land stewardship work.

Just a bit of information to think about

as we celebrate our first year as a non- profit and the many “seeds” we have sown for our community. I would like to reflect on the many programs that SEEDS has brought to fruition. SEEDS’ arts and education mission is to bring educational programs to children – to help them notice and care about what is going on outside of them and inside of them and to enrich their young souls with engaging, and life inspiring experiences. SEEDS has had a wonderful year of bringing meaningful and enriching programs to the hearts and minds of children. Last year, SEEDS awarded a grant to dancer Michelle Handberry, who choreographed unique dances with elementary age children, k-3. My heart opened while watching third graders interpret the alphabet through modern, graceful moves, costumed in green tie–die shirts and moving to beautiful Celtic music. SEEDS also has been funding a teaching grant to bring Handwork into the educational experience of children. My spirit was moved when I learned of a boy who discovered knitting and as a result began to focus more in school, love himself more and promised to knit scarves for everybody. SEEDS has been actively supporting eco-literacy in our community by funding the creation of and introducing an inter-disciplinary, hands-on gardening curriculum-“farm to school table”- to Anneliese Schools. My mind was inspired by watching young people in the garden, learning about how to care for living, nourishing and sustaining things.

La Dolce Vita

Join us for a fun-filled, elegant evening. You will be entertained while enjoying a variety of organic, biodynamic wines from Italy, provided by The Organic Cellar.  Bid on a favorite item or work of art to support our arts and educational community while you sample gourmet, hot and cold hors d’œuvres by Chef Molly! End the night with decadent desserts and coffee.

Saturday, May 1st, 2010 – 5:30 – 11:00 pm

Anneliese Schools -Willowbrook Campus
20062 Laguna Canyon Road Laguna Beach, CA 92651

Advance purchase: 50.00 per person April 20th or later: 65.00 per person

questions or comments: mariabashaw@seedsed.org or 714.376.7079