Welcome To Plants

By Lori McCurdy

CCUA's PLANTS Program (Placing Learners, Agriculture, and Nature Together Sustainably) engages learners of all ages in hands-on experiences that emphasize the connection between food, health, and the environment.  PLANTS Program experiences take many forms and engage all ages in hands-on learning; developing a deeper understanding of the social, cultural, environmental, and economic impact of food on communities.  We hope to empower and inspire learners to take skills acquired through the PLANTS Program and implement them in their homes, schools, or workplaces. 

Thousands of children have visited the Urban Farm since I was first blessed with my job here.  Some leave a lasting impression, and the girl pictured here is one of those.  

Located just a block away from the Farm is the Center for Gifted Education, also known as EEE. Students who participate in EEE are bused to the center from their home school for special classes, and then bused back.

CCUA partnered with a class there to do a study of natives in a garden ecosystem.  The kids visited the Farm multiple times, and I went to them to help plant their garden at the school as well.

On this particular day, we had planted at the Farm. However, this young gardener hadn’t gotten dirty. As the students were getting ready to walk back to EEE, she ran over to the soil we had been investigating and proceeded to rub some on herself.  As she did this, she proclaimed that she wanted people back at her home school to ask what she had been up to!   She proudly held her head high as she marched off to tell her story.  I often say “If you have dirt on you, there’s a story to tell.” And now I can’t say that without thinking of her!