Carver HS Students Continue Their Urban Farming, Nutrition Journey

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The program helps students grow their interest in food systems, agriculture, and food and health literacy.

Alicia Harris, community garden manager with the City of Houston Health Department’s Get Moving Houston Urban Gardens, recently visited students at Carver High School as part of a one-of-a-kind initiative, The Young Agri-business Leaders of Houston (YALH) Education Program.

The 11-week program aims to engage students in the various aspects of hydroponic gardening and lessons on food insecurity, nutrition, urban farming, community development, and entrepreneurship. Click here for details about the program.

During the students’ fifth period, Harris began the class by explaining the importance and significance of gardening. In addition to talking about the types of gardens, Harris also shared information about local gardens and ideas for field trips to local growers.

Harris brought plants and seeds for kale, spinach, lettuce, cilantro bok choi, yellow squash, and mustard.

The 33 students could take their plants home once they finished preparing them.

“The students were so engaged and decided to start a group to keep up with their plant’s progress,” said teacher Monica Caldwell. The kids took ownership of their learning. They were all ecstatic. Afterward, the students planted the remaining ones into our campus vegetable and flower garden.”

The (YALH) Education Program is funded by an African American Mayors Association (AAMA) and the American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America (ABFHA) through their Nutrition Access, Affordability, and Education Grant Program, launched at Carver High School in late October.

Video

To learn more, click on the image below to watch a video. You’ll hear from Caldwell and former Mayor Sylvester Turner. The urban farming and healthy nutrition partnership was developed as part of Turner’s Complete Communities initiative, made possible by the American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America and AAMA Nutrition Grant.