Youth
Education

Placing Learners, Agriculture, and Nature Together Sustainably

CCUA’s Youth Education Program, previously known as our PLANTS Program, engages learners of all ages in hands-on experiences that emphasize the connection between food, health, and the environment. This program encourages learners to develop a deeper understanding of the social, cultural, environmental, and economic impact food has on our communities. School, civic, and community groups can learn about the connection between food, health, and the environment through our diverse garden space. We hope to empower and inspire learners to take the skills acquired through our Youth Education Program and implement them in their homes, schools, or workplaces.

Columbia’sAgriculture Park Field Trips

Field trips at Columbia’s Agriculture Park are hands on, interactive experiences that give learners of all ages an opportunity to connect their classroom knowledge to the natural world around them. Field trips and lessons are available for school groups, community organizations, church groups, etc. A field trip offers a glimpse into the role that CCUA plays in the local food system. You will get to visit our demonstration gardens, rain garden, outdoor classroom, compost, chicken coop, and Planting for the Pantry fields.

Sign-up for a field trip!

Farm to School Partnership

CCUA partnered with the Columbia Public Schools to provide hands-on lessons to 3rd and 5th grade students in the district’s eight Title I elementary schools. Every other week, students work with the CPS farm to school coordinator and CCUA educators to discover the world of food with activities like tasting, planting, and harvesting in the classroom, school gardens, and the Columbia Agriculture Park. This partnership provides over 30,000 student interactions every year.