I have a passion for making life complicated. That is why I chose to make not one, but four lessons based on my Kenan Fellows Experience. Each of these lessons last three to five, ninety minute class periods…yes, I know, I make my life complicated. BUT, despite the complications, it has been a true pleasure to create my curriculum on local food production. I have been incorporating various activities from the lessons in my Advanced Agriculture Studies class this semester. This course consists of Juniors and Seniors that have taken multiple levels of agriculture classes. I use this course to focus on community agriculture awareness activities, modern agriculture practices, agriculture policy, and local food production education. I LOVE the freedom with this course and I am having a blast getting their “feedback” on my curriculum.
Over the next few blog posts, I am going to share a few of the activities we are using in class.
The first lesson in my curriculum involves identifying the key terminology around local food production and understanding what makes food “local.” The first activity of the lesson involved students mapping the origin of their favorite meal. They then reflected on the transportation, aka “food miles,” in their meal. After discussing local food terminology and comparing food production practices and processes, my students were graced with a visit from a local farmer!
Mr. Jim Griffith is a local bee farmer who has recently decided to also pursue vegetable production for local restaurants. Jim’s Bees has the FINEST honey in Southeastern North Carolina. Mr. Griffith is ready to share his beekeeping knowledge with others and greatly enlightened my students on the joys and discomforts of beekeeping. My students led the discussion and enabled Mr. Griffith to share his desire to source local ingredients for local businesses, a “win-win” situation for our economy and environment. It was a fantastic experience to see my students make a connection between our lesson in the classroom and a real world situation and person.
Mr. Griffith left each student with a free “honey bear” and an offer to “learn beekeeping or garden weeding” with him this summer. I am so thankful for farmers like Mr. Griffith and for my passionate students.
