• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Edible Learning Lab
  • Home
  • Start

    Essential Reading

    Program Overview

    The broad strokes of the Edible Learning Lab Program.

    Teachers Primer

    A guide to help teachers visualize their edible education program.

    Farmers Primer

    Learn how to turn your farm into an edible classroom.

    Organizations Primer

    Discover how you can bring edible education into your community.

    Grants & Funding

    There are numerous grants and funding sources to get you started.

    Equipment Recommendations

    Buy the same equipment we use in our flagship Lab.

    The Legal Stuff

    Privacy Policy

    Terms and Conditions

  • Lessons

    Advanced Lesson Search

    Beginner Lessons

    The Beginner Lessons form the foundation with a sound overview of the core concepts of food production.

    Intermediate Lessons

    The Intermediate Lessons allow students to experiment and prove the core concepts.

    Advanced Lessons

    The Advanced Lessons give students an opportunity to apply what they've learned in the previous levels.

    Lessons By Station

    Seed Starting Curriculum

    Soil Management Curriculum

    Vermiculture Curriculum

    Hydroponics Curriculum

    Composting Curriculum

    Water Management Curriculum

    Seed Saving Curriculum

    Teaching Kitchen Curriculum

  • Blog

    Our Top Posts

    What is a Food Desert?

    Gain insight into food deserts, the communities they impact, and how edible education may offer a solution.

    The Difference Between Rainwater and Tap Water

    Not all water is created equal especially when we're talking about the health and development of plants and people.

    Why Rain is Important

    Rain or the lack of an adequate supply can have profound effects on farming and the communities that rely on the harvest.

    Anatomy of a Seed

    It all begins with a seed and this article dives deep into the 5 primary parts of the seed that make it all possible.

Why Grow Our Own Food?

Why Grow Our Own Food?

Chart a Course
Lesson: 2.1
Level:
Intermediate
Station: Soil Management
Format: Class Discussion
Rating:
Intermediate Lesson 2.1 Grow Your Own Food

Lesson Overview

Producing food in the Lab is a great way to explore science, math, history, and the practical skills mastered by farmers everywhere. This lesson goes beyond the educational elements and asks students to determine the highest and best use for the food they produce from a revenue generating perspective.

Goals

  • Students will be able to describe the importance of growing their own food and the importance of their Lab in the community.

Outcomes

Students will determine the best use for the produce generated in the Lab in order to establish a long-term strategy to serve the students and community.

Teach the Teacher

  • 10 Reasons to Grow Your Own Food
  • Why You Should Grow Your Own Food….NOW!

Tools & Materials

  • SMART Board

Activity

The value of each Edible Learning Lab is maximized when it serves its core purpose. Of course, the keystone is to educate young students arming them with the information they need to make healthy life choices moving forward and benefit from a lifelong relationship with food.

But the Lab also represents something else. A production level Lab – one with at least 48 hydroponic towers or substantial growing space outdoors – would be considered by most to be an urban farm. And as a functioning farm, the Lab would also be considered a business.

Your Lab might function as an urban farm selling directly to consumers and restaurants. It could also grow produce for your in-house dining service. Both hold the potential to generate revenue. So whether you are at that stage now or plan to be there after a future expansion, there are some decisions you should consider making today.

Evaluate the merits of each approach – selling to the community or growing specifically for your school – and determine which one is the most financially viable based on potential production. Consider the impact of any future expansion allowing your Lab to produce more.

Related Lessons

Give the Advanced lesson a try now that you’ve completed the Intermediate Lesson! Or revisit the Beginner Lesson as needed.

This lesson, and all other lessons on this website, are intended for use by teachers in the classroom. These lessons are protected by US and International copyright laws. Reproduction or distribution of lesson content, supporting materials, or digital creative is prohibited with written permission from Modern Steader LLC.

« Lights, Camera, Action! » Raise the Roots!

Primary Sidebar

Search All Lessons

Our Lessons are organized into three levels. With our Detailed Search, you can drill down to the Lessons you need most.

Filter by Lesson Number, format, keyword, or rating.

  • Search Beginner Lessons
  • Search Intermediate Lessons
  • Search Advanced Lessons

Featured Pages

  • Foundation Lessons
  • DIY Projects
  • Recipes

Don’t miss out

We publish new resources for teachers several times a week and we can deliver those right to your inbox. You'll never miss another post again!

Contact Us

  • Be specific and share as much detail as you can.

Featured Recipe

Classic hummus

Classic Hummus

Footer

Our Content Libraries

  • Resource Library
  • Foundation Series Lessons
  • Recipes
  • DIY Projects

© 2023 Edible Learning Lab | Site by Vestor Logic