ENGAGE BROWARD 2014 September 2014 | Page 6

Gardening for Grades 6 Students throughout Broward County are asking an important question: "Where does our food come from?" Florida has a rich agricultural history and produces a variety of nutrient-dense plants; yet for many years, our students have almost exclusively consumed foods featuring lab created and over-processed ingredients. Students are tired and unable to concentrate in class, which is often due to hunger or poor nutrition. FAITC offers a tangible solution through education. What is Florida Agriculture in the Classroom? According to their website, "Florida Agriculture in the Classroom, Inc. (FAITC) is a non-profit organization that develops and trains teachers and agriculture industry volunteers in its agricultural curricula and materials, which they in turn use to educate students about the importance of agriculture." In addition, FAITC provide grants and opportunties for teachers to develop projects designed to teach students where the food comes from. These projects infuse language arts, science, math, social studies and other subject areas in order to deepen a student's understanding of the value of knowing wh \