How to Launch an Agriculture Program

A Georgia school teaches K–5 students to appreciate and cultivate plants and livestock.

Topics: Curriculum and Instruction, Student Engagement

At Frances Meeks Elementary School in Richmond Hill, Georgia, agriculture education is more than a special subject—it’s a dedicated part of the school day that builds a robust understanding of the relationship between agriculture and people’s daily lives.

Students learn where food, fibers, and lumber originate and explore a variety of career opportunities in the agricultural field. Through hands-on lessons and outdoor experiences, they gain new knowledge and develop a deep appreciation for nature and the future of agriculture.

Personal Experiences

Students analyze and amend garden soils, plant seeds, tend to animals, and literally enjoy the fruits of their labor.  The program’s curriculum is designed to engage students of all ages. From kindergarteners marveling at their first seedling plants to fifth graders analyzing the impact of agriculture on global sustainability, lessons extend well beyond the classroom.

A student cares for a hatchling chick in the program’s chicken coop.
A student pets one of the program’s goats.
Students learn to till soil and use basic gardening tools.

Community Support

The community shares the school’s commitment to agricultural education. Parents, families, and businesses get involved by donating time, supplies, and other resources to ensure that students have everything they need to succeed.

Whole-Child Education

Working with their hands and being outdoors cultivates curiosity, responsibility, and teamwork among students while fostering a deeper connection to the natural world. Students leave the program with a sense of pride in, and stewardship for, the environment.

From learning how to use hand tools to understanding planting zones and seasons, to tending to the needs of living animals and plants, students gain experiences that go beyond what standards or words can fully capture.

Safety glasses on, a student learns to use a hammer.
A young student harvests tomatoes.
Two kids collect seeds for the next growing season.

Developing a Shared Passion

The program requires supplies such as tools, soil, greenhouses, garden beds, seeds, plants, incubators, and chicken coops, as well as the time and dedication of educators and volunteers who will help maintain the plants and animals throughout the year.

A unique blend of hands-on learning, community support, and a shared passion to leave each space better than we found it makes the Frances Meeks Elementary agriculture program special. Thanks to the program, many students will develop an enthusiasm for agriculture, ensuring a bright future for the industry.

Brittney Mobley is principal of Frances Meeks Elementary School in Richmond, Georgia.

Caroline Gayheart is the agriculture teacher at Frances Meeks Elementary School.