What is The Growing Connection?

The American Horticultural Society (AHS) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) believe children are the future and connecting them to the importance of food plants is critical to their life. The Growing Connection engages children in the science of growing food, the experience of sharing their culture and experiments using modern information technology, and offers hope by introducing innovative solutions to health and nutrition issues in the U.S. and around the world.

The Growing Connection program was developed for middle school students and is supported by the AHS, FAO, and the United States Committee for FAO along with a progressive coalition of private and public sector partners. Currently, students in the U.S., Ghana, and Mexico grow food plants using a uniform sustainable growing system with the help of teachers, extension workers, and community volunteers.

How Does the Program Work?

Students become directly engaged in the fight against hunger and obesity by growing and eating fresh vegetables, and discussing the food growing process and personal impact with their peers in other countries.

Each participating school will receive six EarthBox kits which are used as the growing system for The Growing Connection program, along with planting instructions and a teacher activity guide. Teacher training workshops introduce the essential components of this education program—plant science, information and communications technology, and cross-cultural communication.

Using the Internet, students communicate with partner schools to exchange questions, share stories and compare scientific data. The Web site http://www.thegrowingconnection.org helps educators and student scientists explore the world one garden at a time.

What Does a Kit Consist of?

The Growing Connection School Kit contains everything you need to grow delicious, healthy vegetables: 30 seed packets, a bag of potting soil, fertilizer and dolomite, planting instructions, and an easy-to-use EarthBox container.

Why an EarthBox?

One of the key elements to the success of The Growing Connection program was finding a growing unit that would allow experiments to be conducted in a scientifically consistent framework worldwide. The EarthBox—developed through a unique partnership with a scientist, a farmer, and a plastics manufacturer—was chosen because it is a revolutionary, sustainably designed planter that can be used to grow plants successfully almost anywhere with minimal input of water and fertilizer. In addition, the EarthBox is self-contained, portable, and simple to use. For more information, visit the EarthBox Web site at http://www.earthbox.com.

What are the Benefits of this Program?

For Teachers:

• Activities will enable middle school students to meet various learning standards through hands-on individual and collaborative activities.

• Learn how to effectively integrate technology, data collection devices, graphing calculators in science and math explorations, and into the entire curriculum.

• Have the opportunity to work directly with scientists and leaders in the horticultural field.

• Have the opportunity to participate in constructivist, collaborative learning.

• Communicate with a partner teacher in another country, allowing for meaningful cultural and educational exchange.

•  Be a part of a worldwide effort to reduce hunger and obesity in the world’s children.

For Students:

• Have the opportunity to work on exciting scientific experiments related to horticulture, food, and nutrition.

• Have the opportunity to communicate nationally and internationally with other students through a multitude of Internet connections.

• Understand the important connection between people and plants.

• Work directly with scientists to explore and solve problems.

• Become healthier children by making informed choices about food.

For Schools:

• Schools are provided with growing kits, seeds, and supplies.

• Student activities will enhance overall performance as well as address issues students need to master for standardized assessments.

• The Growing Connection Regional Research and Education Centers will provide regular teacher development opportunities.

• Gardens beautify school grounds and help build community.

How Can I Apply?

Middle schools and community youth groups interested in participating in The Growing Connection project should contact Amy McMillen, Program Coordinator at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) at 1-800-252-0455 or info@thegrowingconnection.org for more information or to request an application.

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