Hands-on Learning Takes Root at a coastal Organic Farm
Table of Contents
- 1. Hands-on Learning Takes Root at a coastal Organic Farm
- 2. Half Moon Bay Farm Program Grows Healthy Habits in Kids
- 3. Hands-On Learning Blossoms at Half Moon Bay Farm
- 4. Supporting Educational Equity
- 5. third Graders Discover the Joys of Farm Fresh Food
- 6. Wish Book Series
- 7. Support a farm Field Trip Program for Kids
- 8. How You Can Help
Table of Contents
- 1. Hands-on Learning Takes Root at a coastal Organic Farm
- 2. Half Moon Bay Farm Program Grows Healthy Habits in Kids
- 3. Hands-On Learning Blossoms at Half Moon Bay Farm
- 4. Supporting Educational Equity
- 5. third Graders Discover the Joys of Farm Fresh Food
- 6. Wish Book Series
- 7. Support a farm Field Trip Program for Kids
- 8. How You Can Help
Led by farm educator Sara Neale, the students embarked on a journey of discovery, learning about the wonders of organic farming firsthand. Neale explained the concept of organic farming, emphasizing the absence of chemicals.
“it means we don’t use any chemicals,” she said with a smile.
Immersed in rows of vibrant lettuce,onions,carrots,and other fresh produce,the students actively participated in harvesting cilantro,tomatoes,and more. Their experience extended beyond simply picking vegetables; they delved into the engaging world of bugs, explored essential nutrition concepts, and learned about environmental science, all while enjoying the fresh California sunshine.
The day culminated in a tasty hands-on cooking experience. The students, armed with their harvested bounty, meticulously prepared tacos, savoring the fruits of their labor. “Don’t yuk my yum,” neale reminded them, promoting a spirit of open-mindedness towards new flavors.
The HEAL Project, a non-profit organization based in Half moon Bay, has been dedicated to this unique educational approach for over two decades. Located just across from the Half Moon Bay airport, amidst the scenic rolling hills of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the farm serves as a vibrant classroom for students from various schools. Brett Schilke, a representative of the HEAL Project, describes the experience as “a real hands-on experience.”
Half Moon Bay Farm Program Grows Healthy Habits in Kids
The HEAL Project, a Half Moon Bay-based nonprofit, is cultivating more than just fresh produce—it’s cultivating healthy habits and a love for nature in young students.
Through hands-on farm visits and school programs, the HEAL Project provides valuable agricultural experiences to thousands of elementary students across San Mateo County.
“Kids touch and feel and try all kinds of foods they might not otherwise get to see,” said the HEAL Project’s executive director. “They harvest it themselves, and make it into something that they eat. Frequently enough it’s their first time on a farm. It’s their first time cutting up vegetables. It’s their first time eating some of these foods.It’s a way for kids to get in touch with the natural world and the foods they are putting in their bodies.”
The program’s reach is remarkable: in the past year alone, the HEAL Project served 4,100 students, with a meaningful portion (36%) coming from low-income schools in areas like Redwood City, East Palo Alto, and Daly City.
more than just fun field trips, these farm visits offer lessons on crucial issues, including childhood obesity and climate change, according to supporters. “This is long-term education,” the HEAL Project’s executive director said. “We are looking at setting a foundation for these kids that will last for years to come. We hear an endless stream of stories from parents and the community who say “my kid would never try vegetables, and now they are begging me to go to the store and buy chard.”
The HEAL Project,whose name stands for Health,Environmental and Agricultural Literacy,has grown considerably since its inception in 2001. Starting as a simple school garden on the San Mateo Coast, it has blossomed into a well-established nonprofit with a dedicated team of 15 staff members, a 12-person board, and nearly 90 volunteers. With an annual budget of $768,000, the organization continues to cultivate healthy minds, bodies, and a connection to nature in young students.
Hands-On Learning Blossoms at Half Moon Bay Farm
On a sunny Wednesday in october,third graders from El Granada Elementary School embarked on an educational adventure at the HEAL Project farm in Half Moon Bay. This interactive field trip offered a unique opportunity for students to connect with nature, learn about enduring agriculture, and savor the fruits of their labor.
After learning about plant anatomy, identifying aphids, and distinguishing between tomatoes and tomatillos, the students enthusiastically harvested fresh produce from the fields. They then gathered in an outdoor kitchen area, where farm educator Sara Neale guided them in creating their own veggie tacos.
“You are the chef,” Neale encouraged them. “You decide what to cut up and put on your taco. I urge you to try everything.”
Equipped with small knives and careful instruction on safety, the students diligently chopped vegetables, rolled them into flour tortillas, and eagerly sank their teeth into their creations.
“I love green onions,” declared third grader Ashley Murray. “They make everything taste better. It’s vrey pretty out here. I like how you can try new things. I learn more on the farm than in the class.”
The HEAL Project, a local non-profit organization, aims to provide enriching educational experiences for students while fostering a connection to sustainable agriculture.Recognizing that access to these opportunities can be limited for underserved communities, the organization offers reduced rates or free admission to schools with the lowest household incomes or highest percentages of English-language learners.
Supporting Educational Equity
With the goal of removing financial barriers to these valuable learning experiences, the HEAL Project is seeking $25,000 in Wish Book donations to support farm visits for students from the most underserved communities. El Granada teacher Stacey Walsh underscored the importance of these hands-on learning opportunities: “often kids learn more by doing activities like being in nature, seeing things, smelling things, and tasting things rather than looking at a screen or a book,” Walsh explained. “You can’t pick a vegetable in a book.”third Graders Discover the Joys of Farm Fresh Food
On a sunny Wednesday in October, a group of third graders from El Granada Elementary School embarked on a memorable field trip to a local farm with the Heal Project. The day was filled with hands-on learning experiences, culminating in a delicious feast of homemade tacos made with the very vegetables they had just harvested.
“It’s kind of fun,” shared John Lacerda, reflecting on his experience. “You get to learn about plants. I never had a tomatillo before. I had never been to a farm before this one.” While John was initially hesitant to try onions, he enthusiastically agreed to sample a carrot.
his classmate, Wolf Guel, was already savoring his taco. “I like to grow all different kinds of vegetables,” he said. “They take really good care of the plants here. I learned that plants need water, sun, soil and air, and we shoudl take care of them.”
Wish Book Series
Wish Book, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operated by The Mercury News, has been sharing heartwarming stories during the holiday season since 1983. the series highlights the wishes of those in need within our communities.Support a farm Field Trip Program for Kids
A wonderful opportunity has arisen to make a real difference in the lives of children by supporting The heal project’s farm field trip program. This program aims to provide enriching,hands-on experiences for youngsters,connecting them with nature and the wonders of agriculture.
Your generous donations will directly contribute to securing essential resources for the program, including staffing, garden supplies, tools, kitchen ingredients and assistance with transportation costs. The goal is to raise $25,000 to ensure that every child has the chance to participate in this invaluable experience.
How You Can Help
You can make a secure donation online at wishbook.mercurynews.com/donate or submit the donation form found here.
For inspiring stories, captivating photos and videos featuring other Wish Book endeavors, visit wishbook.mercurynews.com.
Published: December 29, 2024 at 6:15 AM PST
This is a great article about the HEAL Project and their efforts to bring hands-on agricultural education to students, particularly those from underserved communities. Here are some of its strengths:
* **Compelling Narrative:** The article effectively uses storytelling to engage the reader. Focusing on the experience of the third graders from El Granada Elementary school creates an emotive connection and highlights the impact of the HEAL Project’s work.
* **Clear Mission:** The article clearly articulates the HEAL Project’s mission of providing enriching educational experiences and fostering a connection to enduring agriculture.
* **Emphasis on Equity:** The article prominently features the HEAL Project’s commitment to addressing educational inequities by offering reduced rates or free admission to schools with the lowest household incomes or highest percentages of English-language learners.
* **Concrete Impact:** The article provides specific examples of how students benefit from these field trips, including experiential learning, improved understanding of agriculture, and the joy of preparing and eating fresh food.
* **Call to Action:** The article concludes by highlighting the HEAL Project’s Wish Book donation campaign, encouraging readers to support their efforts.
Here are a few suggestions for advancement:
* **Quantify Impact:** While the article effectively illustrates the impact of the HEAL Project, including statistics on the number of students reached or the increase in knowlege or skills gained coudl further strengthen the case for support.
* **Highlight Teacher Perspectives:** While the article includes quotes from a teacher, incorporating more insights from educators about the value of these field trips could further emphasize their importance.
* **Expand on Sustainability:** The article mentions sustainable agriculture, but could delve further into specific practices or initiatives the HEAL Project implements to promote environmentally responsible farming.
this is a well-written and engaging article that effectively communicates the HEAL Project’s valuable work. With a few minor additions, it could be even more impactful.
This is a great article highlighting the HEAL Project and their mission to provide educational farm experiences for underserved communities. Here’s a breakdown of the key points and some thoughts:
**Strengths:**
* **Compelling Story:** The article effectively uses the story of El Granada Elementary students to illustrate the impact of the HEAL Project. It emphasizes the importance of hands-on learning and the joy children experience when connecting with nature and food.
* **Clear Mission:** The article succinctly explains the HEAL Project’s goal: to provide enriching educational experiences tied to sustainable agriculture while ensuring accessibility for underserved communities.
* **Focus on Equity:** The emphasis on reducing financial barriers and supporting schools with lower incomes and higher percentages of English language learners is crucial and commendable.
* **Call to action:** The article clearly states the fundraising goal of $25,000 and provides clear instructions on how to donate through Wish book.
* **Supporting Details:**
* Quotes from teacher stacey Walsh and students like John Lacerda and Wolf guel add personal touch and reiterate the educational value of the program.
* **visual Appeal:** the inclusion of images from the farm visit helps readers connect with the story and visualize the experience.
** Suggestions:**
* **Expand on Impact Metrics:** While the article highlights the anecdotal impact,it might very well be strengthened by including quantifiable data on the number of students served,academic outcomes,or any assessment of program effectiveness.
* **highlight Long-Term Benefits:** consider expanding on the long-term benefits of the program, such as fostering environmental stewardship, promoting healthy eating habits, or inspiring interest in STEM fields.
**Overall:**
this is a well-written and impactful article that effectively advocates for the HEAL Project. It effectively combines storytelling, data, and a strong call to action to encourage reader engagement and support.
