LA CROSSE, Wis. (WEAU) – GROW is a non-profit that connects youth with healthy food and nature.
The organization is partnering with Western Technical College to have field trips throughout the school year for School District of La Crosse students at the college’s greenhouse.
“We have almost 1,600 students that are coming in and out of this space to learn about where their food comes from, the science of growing food, and just having a hands-on opportunity to learn outside of their classroom,” says GROW director of communication and outreach Bonnie Martin.
2nd graders from Hintgen Elementary took the trip to the greenhouse Thursday. Martin says these lessons will help the students with their science curriculum.
“They’re learning about landforms, using sand and water to make landforms. They’re also learning about erosion. They’re learning how plant plants and how to propagate plants. In all of our programs, we always have taste tests,” says Martin.
Mark Moulton with Western Technical College says these field trips help students understand the importance of agriculture in the area.
“There are tons of community farms around. There are lots of people growing in their backyards through hydroponics. The more we can get students to realize that is something that can be a life-long learning opportunity, as well as a career, it’s always a positive for the community,” says Moulton.
Martin says another benefit is the information students receive about proper nutrition.
“The importance of these lessons are to give opportunities not only to show students how food is grown, but to experiences among their peers that are positive. For example, trying new things and trying foods that they see on the school lunch line, but they haven’t had the opportunity to taste those things in their own homes,” says Martin.
Every Tuesday and Thursday until the end of the month, 2nd, 4th, and 7th grade students from the School District of La Crosse will be taking field trips to the greenhouse.
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Elementary and middle school students learn about nature and nutrition on field trips
