"Not every kid loves the science of studying the planting guide," says CC Garrett.
"And once you hit that emotional connection, when kids walk away from here, I want them to understand where food comes from."
That's the message Garrett, aka Miss Hickory, is trying to impart through her Agritopia Farm, a non-profit that teaches kids about agriculture in a fun, hands-on way, the Arizona Republic reports.
The 11 acres of farmland in Peoria, Ariz., are open to kids twice a year for a tour, which includes a tour of the farm's chicken coops, community gardening areas, and its own vegetable garden.
Garrett, a retired public school English teacher, says the program grew out of her love for agriculture and her 40 years of teaching.
"That first year we had maybe 500 kids, and then with word of mouth, it grew and grew," she says.
Last year, nearly 2,000 students attended the program, with a class from Arizona State University visiting the farm, she says.
Some schools even make sure their students make it to the farm twice a year for the tour.
Teachers and parents can opt for a classroom theme as well, where kids can participate in digging the soil and planting seeds, harvesting vegetables, Read the Entire Article
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