Minden Elementary School students sold cookbooks, herbs and crafts during the Giant Student Farmers Market in May 2024 at Fuji Park.
Photo by Jessica Garcia.
More “farmpreneurs” are coming to the Nevada Legislature on May 15 with student fruits and vegetables grown from seed to harvest and crafts made by hand.
Green Our Planet, a gardening and education nonprofit, will host its third annual Northern Nevada Giant Student Farmers Market from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 15 featuring fresh produce and nonprofits encouraging hydroponics education. Fruits and vegetables grown by 150 students from 15 schools will be for sale.
Woody Worthington, senior director of government affairs and community engagement of Green Our Planet, finds it encouraging to see school districts championing students’ agricultural efforts.
“The kids pour their blood, sweat and tears into it,” Worthington said. “They are amazing little farmpreneurs. It’s a rite of passage. They’re ready to sell.”
The Giant Student Farmers Market in 2023 hosted more than 500 students in its first year. Sixty schools raised $22,000 for their school gardens.
Classes grow various types of engage in community programs and assist with food insecurity for food pantries.
The nonprofit partners with about 400 schools, University of Nevada, Reno Extension, Boys and Girls Clubs and event sponsor Hometown Health. More than 200,000 students receive the benefits of the funding invested into the gardens and labs used to sell products back to the community.
Green Our Planet has developed curriculum for teachers to launch a program at their own school and guide them through establishing gardens or hydroponics programs. Content also teaches about financial literacy as students learn about entrepreneurship.
Worthington said Nevada has grown some of the largest school gardens in the nation, but beyond the environmental impacts, there are academic benefits. An impact study of Green Our Planet’s programs showed 93% of students improved in their knowledge of science, technology, engineering and math concepts. Results also showed 83% of students increased in positive behaviors such as engagement and healthy eating habits.
Carson City’s Eagle Valley Middle School, one of three district schools participating May 15, has its own Green Biz Kids sixth grade club hard at work growing lettuce, kale, perennial herbs and flowers using its hydro tables, including a Sananbio system, according to agricultural science teacher Amy Riddle. Fritsch and Empire elementary schools also will be participating.
“Students are learning valuable skills like seed germination, transplanting seedlings, maintaining nutrient levels and monitoring for pests,” Riddle said. “They’re especially excited about participating in the upcoming Farmers Market, where they’ll share their hard work with the community.
“Our students are looking forward to continuing their journey in agriculture and learning more about sustainable growing practices in Nevada throughout their years at EVMS.”
The programs and curriculum appeal to all students from all walks of life or who have challenges engaging in the classroom. Washoe County School District’s Marvin Picollo School for students with special needs uses agriculture to help them learn and explore, Worthington said.
“The involvement is the connection back to the homelife, and they’re going back to the family,” Worthington said. “It shows the potential of what these kids can do. At the end of the day, it’s about the kids.”