HOUSTON — On Wednesday, June 2, The Food and Agriculture Literacy Center at Mykawa Farm invited 20 elementary, middle, and high school students to their farm. There, the students learned about how foods are produced and processed.
As the students arrived at the Mykawa Center, they could be seen immediately running toward a hollowed-out tree trunk. Nearby are workstations designed to help them connect classroom science to real-life agriculture, nutrition, and the natural world.
“We’re here today to share with you how food comes from the soil and ends up on your plate,” said Area Manager for Nutrition Services Food and Agriculture Literacy Marcus Glenn.
The Food and Agriculture Literacy Center at Mykawa Farm is a working educational farm that integrates nutrition and food science with core curriculums to provide students with in-person learning experiences.
On Wednesday, the farm held its first-ever Food and Agriculture Day. They wanted students to participate in activities that teach them about user-friendly gardens, water conservation, flower pollination, food nutrients, and healthy and balanced meals.
“I really enjoy learning about agriculture and nutrition. That’s inspired me to become a nurse,” said Worthing High School senior Nathalia Robles.
During the Food and Agricultural day, Nutrition Services Chef Trainer Glenn Topfer could be seen showing off his cooking skill by making meals with tomatoes, bell peppers, olives, carrots, lettuce, olive oil, and shredded cheese.
“The peppers are sweet,” several students said after tasking the final product.
Some of the ingredients were sourced from the farm’s Market Garden. The Market Garden was designed for high school students to learn how to plant, harvest, and sell crops and learn about agribusiness.
Inside the farm, there was a workstation that showcases bees and flower pollination. This station was led by Lisa Rollinson a Lamar High School senior. Rollinson is also an FFA student and certified Health Ambassador for a Ready Texas, a Texas Department of Agriculture program that recognizes high school students who follow and promote healthy lifestyles.
Director of Food and Agriculture Literacy Nan Cramer said that the learning aims to provide students with a foundational knowledge of food and its source. This is achieved by giving students a chance to plant and grow a garden, harvest and prepare produce, and share the harvest with others.
“We are planning many more field trips for our students in the coming school year,” said Cramer.