Area 1: Goals:

We believe that effective communication between the school, home, and community provides the foundation for a student's successful education. Our district-wide program Student Farmers Grow & Give is a partnership in learning between Washington Township Public Schools, Duffields Farm Market, and Farmers Against Hunger. The partners work collaboratively to create this outstanding educational experience for our students.

In this program, the third grade Life Science curriculum comes alive as the students acquire scientific knowledge through hands-on lessons that go beyond the walls of the classroom. Students learn science best through discovery. The focus of the project is on field trips to the local farm, growing crops from seeds, and providing food to the hungry. On-site lessons provide students with direct farming experiences. The project expands student knowledge of environmental issues, including management of natural resources, production, and use of energy.

This authentic type of active learning enhances student knowledge of the scientific method. Students enthusiastically go into the fields to plant seeds and the observation process begins. The delicious fruits of student labor are harvested and donated to the Farmers Against Hunger. In addition, Student Farmers Grow & Give introduces and develops students' abilities with technological design including experiences in predicting, decision-making, critical thinking, and problem solving. Student Farmers Grow & Give creates an awareness of the need to protect, conserve, and preserve natural resources and enhances our students' understanding of the interrelationship between science and the global community.

STANDARD 5.1 (Scientific Processes) Students are given hands-on opportunities to apply the scientific method. Students question and hypothesize, observe, gather data, and draw conclusions about information gathered on the farm. The students keep records that describe their observations. They recognize that conducting science activities requires an awareness of potential hazards and the need for safe practices by the farmer. As the students work on the farm, they begin to understand and practice safety measures for conducting scientific investigations.

STANDARD 5.3 (Mathematical Applications) The students collect data, determine the reasonableness of estimates, measurements, and computations of quantities when planting the seeds and harvesting the crops.

STANDARD 5.4 (Nature and Process of Technology) The farmer introduces the students to farm equipment and the current advances in agricultural farming. Teachers reinforce the hands-on experiences with discussions and informative classroom instruction.

STANDARD 5.5 (Characteristics of Life) The students investigate the basic needs of humans and other organisms as they study the farm. They donate food to the hungry as an outcome of their enduring understandings.

STANDARD 5.8 (Earth Science) The students record observations that describe the features of the natural world in their local environment.

STANDARD 5.10 (Environmental Studies) Through hands-on earth science learning experience, students develop an understanding of the environment. The students identify various needs of humans that are supplied by the natural or constructed environment. Through their direct experiences on the farm, students are able to differentiate between natural resources that are renewable and those that are not renewable.

STANDARD 3.1-3.5 Language Arts Literacy The language arts cross-curricular connection involves students in reading, writing, speaking, listening and viewing (Power Point Presentation at the Farm) essentials about the Student Farmers Grow & Give experience.

Area 2: Activities:

Students learn about the local farm and agriculture through the scientific method in which many opportunities reinforce knowledge presented in the classroom through exciting, hands-on learning experiences. The students work in cooperative groups using scientific tools to gather and report data. Students become aware of career opportunities in the field of farming/agricultural science.

During these activities, students are encouraged and challenged to make predictions, observations and record data. They formulate questions based on environmental needs, using effective strategies for locating information, identifying examples of responsible citizenship in the school setting, and understanding the law of supply and demand.

Over 700 third grade students district-wide participate yearly in the project with 100% actively engaged in the Student Farmers Grow & Give. During the harvest season, students picked crops and helped distribute food to Farmers Against Hunger. Twenty-five to thirty parents volunteer to help on the field trips and during the harvest averaging between 60-100 volunteer hours.

Area 3: Outside Resources:

Duffields Farm Market, Washington Township Public Schools, Farmers Against Hunger, and the New Jersey Agricultural Society support the partnership program. Duffields Farm Market donates materials and supplies: seeds, farmland, hayrides, baskets, tractor, seed planter and a greenhouse among other items.

Area 4: Evaluation:

Students highly favor this type of learning experience and indicate high scores in the area of increased knowledge in earth science. Assessment measures were precisely designed, with consideration given to the different learning styles of all students. Assessment was ongoing throughout the duration of the project and conducted in concert with appropriate chapter and unit assessments in the school's science program.

To ensure that the Student Farmers Grow & Give partnership met the program objectives several methods of assessment were used including individual and small group conferencing as well as whole class discussions. The assessments were instrumental in evaluating student feedback. Earth Science curriculum unit tests indicated that students were successful in understanding the conceptual information embedded in the project.

A rubric evaluated the effectiveness of the program in reinforcing and increasing students' knowledge in the field of earth science. Scores were based on a scale of 1-3 with three being the highest. The students also entered their personal reflections in their plant journal after the lessons on the farm. Students described their experiences and kept detailed annotations. Their efforts were monitored to determine understanding of new concepts.

Hands-on experiences were evaluated in accordance with steps listed in the scientific method. Student hypotheses were discussed and assessed. Inquiry was encouraged through class discussions. Math and measurement skills were employed throughout the duration of the project. Student work in this area was assessed to determine accuracy of calculations regarding plant growth and expected harvest dates. The local news media wrote several articles about this distinctive community partnership and outreach.

Area 5: Stability:

This unique partnership, initiated six years ago, prepares the students to meet and solve the future challenges our world will face in the new millennium by means of hands-on lessons that go beyond the walls of the classroom. All the components of the program are secure including the administration, farm market, orientation and training. The partnership is recognized within the community by means of volunteers and donations.

Area 6: Endorsements:

The Washington Township Board of Education, the PTO, the principal, teachers, students and parents support this partnership; Duffields Farm Market, Farmers Against Hunger are fundamental partners in seeing this project to fruition.

The kids do a lot with plants in school and this is growing in action, stated Jeffrey Pollock, Principal.

Last year, we distributed more than one million pounds of produce to those in need collected from New Jersey Farmers stated Judy Grignon, coordinator of the Farmers Against Hunger program under the New Jersey Agriculture Society.

The kids' squash started growing about three weeks ago and 500 pounds of squash have already been picked [stated] Tracy Duffield, Coordinator of Children's Activities at Duffield's Farm Market.

The students develop a love for science as they work on the farm and grow food for the hungry.