Inspire The Next Generation of Green Agricultural Leaders!
“Seeds of Security” Concept
The proposed “Seeds of Security” program fulfills the tenets of the VI Agricultural Plan’s mandate for PreK-12 agricultural education. In order to support food security/sovereignty in the territory, it is critical that agricultural education begins at a young age and is incorporated into core subjects. The aim is to educate, engage, ignite passion & build awareness of the our direct connection to food sources and how that fits into the broader issues of battling global warming, embracing sustainable initiatives & environmental justice.
“Seeds of Security” Highlights
- USVI Pilot Program: Two schools per island, six schools in total
- Experiential learning: age-appropriate curriculum, teamwork, engaging activities & project work. In classroom & extracurricular clubs
- Incorporate best practices from top green/ag programs: USDA’s Ag in the Classroom (AITC); P.E.A.C.E. International LLC; Green Academy UNESCO; Green Camp, Bali; EPA’s “Kiddle” materials, etc.
- Grow container gardens with variety of produce seeds/seedlings: 4-5 grow bags per student, hands-on instruction
- Teach reduction of food waste/intro to composting; start school compost pile/container
- Provision of school hydroponics or aquaponics system in each school
- Core curriculum concepts in humanities, nutrition, STEM including teaching irrigation, chemistry of soil, organic fertilizer, etc.
- Badges/rewards for completing initiatives
- Competitions to celebrate success, share innovations and motivate i.e. biggest crop, best essays, songs, arts, STEM-related projects, “green bee,” etc.
- Help develop cafeteria lunch menu items incorporating Seeds of Security “crops”
- Sell excess through school marketplaces; help make program self-sufficient
- Create opportunity similar to UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s “Global Chef Challenge” / Create cookbook
- Track & record detailed metrics as part of the scientific education process and to track success of program
- Field trips to local farms/green markets
- Guest speakers from UVI, various government offices (agriculture, energy, etc.) & elsewhere
- Introduction to “AI for Good” technology and the vital role tech advancements play
- Youth encouraged & rewarded for spreading what they learn to family, classmates & community in person & via social media: Green Advocacy
Non-Profit Organizations
We partner with a few non-profit organizations to help support our efforts.
