Revolutionary food engagement made fun – and easy!

Local Lessons for Growing Minds engages students kindergarten through 5th grade with hands-on experiences, multi-media presentations, farmer videos and more. We take the work out of lesson planning. All course lessons are pre-planned with a teacher discussion guide and STEM learning materials.
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This course will help students to:

  • LEARN

    Understand local food systems and how to make healthy food choices.

  • APPRECIATE

    Appreciate growers and learn about the importance of where their food comes from.

  • CONNECT

    Connect lesson topics across different STEM subjects and courses.

Check Out the Curriculum

    1. Welcome to Local Lessons for Growing Minds!

    2. Welcome Survey for Teachers and Parents

    3. Welcome Survey for Students

    4. Take the Pledge for Your School

    1. Welcome to Lesson 1 about Community Food Systems!

    2. Lesson 1: Teacher Guide

    3. Lesson 1: Presentation

    4. Download the Presentation

    5. Lesson 1: Video

    6. Lesson 1: Video Quiz

    7. Worksheets & Activities

    8. Seed Folks Reading Excerpt

    9. Food For Thought Journal

    10. Recipe: Cheesy Polenta

    11. Lesson 1: Ohio State Standards

    1. Welcome to Lesson 2 about Tomatoes!

    2. Lesson 2: Teacher Guide

    3. Lesson 2: Presentation

    4. Download the Presentation

    5. Lesson 2: Video

    6. Lesson 2: Video Quiz

    7. Worksheets & Activities

    8. Food For Thought Journal

    9. Seed Folks Reading Excerpt

    10. Recipe: Caprese Wraps

    11. Lesson 2: Ohio State Standards

    1. Welcome to Lesson 3 about Apples!

    2. Lesson 3: Teacher Guide

    3. Lesson 3: Presentation

    4. Download the Presentation

    5. Lesson 3: Video

    6. Lesson 3: Video Quiz

    7. Worksheets & Activities

    8. Food For Thought Journal

    9. Seed Folks Reading Excerpt

    10. Recipe: Apple Maple Muffins

    11. Lesson 3: Ohio State Standards

    1. Welcome to Lesson 4 about Sweet Potatoes!

    2. Lesson 4: Teacher Guide

    3. Lesson 4: Presentation

    4. Download the Presentation

    5. Lesson 4: Video

    6. Lesson 4: Video Quiz

    7. Worksheets & Activities

    8. Grow Your Own Sweet Potatoes

    9. Food For Thought Journal

    10. Seed Folks Reading Excerpt

    11. Recipe: Southwest Stuffed Sweet Potato

    12. Lesson 4: Ohio State Standards

    1. Welcome to Lesson 5 about Potatoes!

    2. Lesson 5: Teacher Guide

    3. Lesson 5: Presentation

    4. Download the Presentation

    5. Lesson 5: Video

    6. Lesson 5: Video Quiz

    7. Worksheets & Activities

    8. Growing Potatoes in a Bucket

    9. Food For Thought Journal

    10. Seed Folks Reading Excerpt

    11. Recipe: Loaded Baked Potato Soup

    12. Lesson 5: Ohio State Standards

About this course

  • Free
  • 119 lessons
  • 1 hour of video content
  • Complete lesson planning
  • Includes state standards
  • Ideal for Grades K-5

Meet Our Experts

Lessons have been crafted by experienced educators and include supplemental expertise from school nutritionists, local food producers, chefs and government officials.

Steven Baker

Chief Operating Officer, Spice Field Kitchen

Steve has been a licensed educator for 20 years with experience as a classroom teacher and administrator. As the Chief Operating Officer of Spice Field Kitchen, he helps students make connections in their community and local food systems through hands-on, field-based education. Steve is passionate about educating growing minds AND having fun, which you’ll soon find out.

ARE YOU READY TO LEARN?

Throughout the course, students will understand their role in your local food economy.

  • How do different fruits and vegetables grow? Fruits and veggies don’t just appear at your local farmers market or grocery store – they go through growing cycles before they’re harvested! Students will learn about different plant growth cycles, the nutrients they need and how to grow them at home.

  • What are food miles? The distance that foods travel from where they’re harvested or produced to the consumer is used to determine a food’s environmental impact. Students will learn that local foods with fewer food miles are better for the environment, their communities and their overall health!

  • Why is it important to eat local food in season? Seasonal foods are tastier and more nutritious – especially for growing minds and bodies! Students will learn why local crops picked at their peak are fresher than out of season produce that’s shipped from far away.

CHANGE THE WAY YOUR STUDENTS CONNECT WITH LOCAL FOOD.

About Spice Field Kitchen

Spice Field Kitchen is a 501(c)3 that cultivates the connection between nutrient-dense foods, sustainable agricultural practices and health + wellness. From on-farm excursions for preschool classes to hands-on nutritional seminars for PhDs, there are no shortage of lessons to be learned from field and forest. Our programs and workshops are approachable, interactive and memorable on many levels. Visit SpiceFieldKitchen.org to learn more about our view of food and the ecosystem that sustains us all.