Rodale Institute, birthplace of the organic movement, located in Kutztown, has put together an online educational resource, My First Garden, to help teachers integrate school gardens into their classroom curriculum. The five lesson plans include Where Food Comes From, How Seeds Grow, Planting a Garden, Harvesting and Tasting, and Visit a Farm

Each lesson comes with a video tutorial, activities, printable resources, books to read, crafts and snacks, created to involve all the senses in learning. The curriculum is designed for preschool or kindergarten children, but it could be adapted to suit early elementary school needs.  

“At Rodale Institute, we know how important it is to get children and their families eating healthy from an early age,” says Diana Martin, director of communications. “School gardens help kids learn where their food comes from, and are great ways to teach little ones about what’s good for their bodies and for the environment.”

Curriculum is free. View and download the curriculum at MyFirstGarden.org. For more information, call 610-683-1400.