The family farm is slowly dwindling with less than 2% of the U.S. population contributing to our food systems. Providing Agriculture Literacy is important now more than ever. Children are sometimes not aware of where their food comes from.  Statistics say that most people are three to four generations removed from the farm. The future of agriculture and food production depends on the next generation. Raising agriculturally literate youth is important to our future and children are eager to learn. Creating a hands on learning environment is the perfect way to get children excited about agriculture and create a better understanding of where our food comes from. Thanks to an Agriculture Mini Grant provided by the Kentucky 4-H Foundation and matching funds provided by Riley Marine, students at Crittenden County Elementary School will now have a place to explore and learn.  A garden area at the elementary school has been a vision for 4-H Youth Development Agent Leslea Barnes and is now a reality thanks to this funding.  A 2,500 square foot area was developed with a 10’X10’ pollinator area focusing on attracting Monarch butterflies. This area hosts a butterfly bush, milkweed, cone flowers, black eyed susan’s, daisies, sedum, and hollyhocks.  Butterfly fly houses along with a reading bench are being placed next to this area and will be painted by students at CCES.  A “Touch and See” herb garden made from Tire’s donated from Duncan’s Tire host a variety of herbs for children to touch, smell, and taste. Mrs. Tabors 1^st grade class commented when they had their science class in the garden that this was their favorite part of the garden.  Along the back side of the garden are raised beds for vegetables for the students to learn hands on about seeds, germination, and growing and producing vegetables. Currently there are broccoli, cauliflower and snap peas planted along with 7 varieties of lettuce. Students will have the opportunity to care for the growing plants and reap and taste the harvest.  Future plans for the raised beds include plants to produce vegetables so the students can make salsa and pizza as well as have the opportunity to try vegetables they might not have tasted before such as cucumbers, tomatoes, and sweet peppers. With students having the opportunity to care for the garden, they will create a sense of ownership to it, get excited about what they are learning, and be more open to trying different kinds of vegetables. Through the middle of the garden are some fun stepping stones painted like The Hungry Caterpillar.  A rain barrel will be added this spring so students can learn the importance of water conservation and use it in the garden as well as placing two large tractor tires for strawberries. Sara Riley, the principal at CCES , had a vision for an outdoor classroom and we are excited that picnic tables were added adjacent to the garden. The 5^th grade 4-H Civic Engagement Club had been collecting plastic caps for benches for the playground. The recycling/collection process was so well received in the county that we were able to turn in over 600 pounds of plastic caps and lids for the school to purchase four colorful recycled plastic picnic tables.  The garden area also has a weather station that includes a temperature and rain gauge, barometer, hygrometer as well as a windsock.  Students will have the opportunity to learn about earth and weather science as well as record keeping.  Throughout the garden are colorful signs explaining parts of the garden and educational signs so students can learn more about pollination, parts of a seed, and the seed lifecycle.  To help implement and see this garden area turn into a reality over 109 volunteer hours were provided by students and adults. This garden space is truly a living and growing environment where students will have the opportunity to build upon their knowledge and learn and explore each year they are at CCES and will create and hopefully cultivate a love of learning and increase a students knowledge of the importance of agriculture and how it plays a part in our daily lives.

Goals and objectives for the program/activity: 

1. To create an outdoor area for learning and exploration with vegetable plants, herbs, pollinators and fun hands on enrichment activities
2. Kentucky Science Standards will be used to identify the targeted learning areas so that each grade level with benefit from the space
3. 4-H curriculum will be provided to each grade level to go along with activities and lessons they can use in the garden area
4. Engage youth with learning activities that promote agricultural literacy
5. Create change agents and promote nutritional awareness to help create healthier lifestyles for our youth to have a better future
6. Help promote environmental stewardship in our youth
7. Increase engagement in learning and overall student achievement
8. Gain usable life skills
9. Create a diverse yet inclusive environment that will promote self-esteem and self-efficacy
10. Connect with community partners to help create and sustain a viable learning environment
11. Long term goal: To have an area of the garden that provides seating 

I am excited to see how this area will be used in the future and what our students will learn from having the opportunity to have this beautiful space to grow and learn.