IDEA Rundberg College Preparatory students are harvesting crops grown on the IDEA Rundberg Farm ahead of the holiday season. In addition to helping the school’s farmer harvest beets, radishes, and carrots, more than 120 sixth grade students received their Junior Master Gardener certificates in a special ceremony during their class periods.  

Students completed their certification through Texas A&M University’s Junior Master Gardener Program, a youth gardening program of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the national Junior Master Gardener Program. The program allows students to have hands-on learning experience and foster an appreciation for gardening and the environment. Students can earn the Junior Master Gardener Certification by completing lessons and participating in activities on the farm.  

“I am very proud and excited to celebrate our students’ hard work and their passion for our earth,” Carlos Jimenez Hernandez said, Child Nutrition Program Farmer at IDEA Rundberg. “To be able to watch our students learn more about farming and follow them through this certification process has been an honor and I’m excited to plant more crops with them throughout the school year.” 

Founded in 2006, IDEA Public Schools is home to eleven campus farms in five Texas regions. IDEA CNP Farms is innovating farming practices for students while celebrating the natural diversity of each region. To date, IDEA CNP Farms has harvested 120,000 pounds of produce that has made its way to over 500,000 student meals. 

IDEA Public Schools promotes a healthy and active lifestyle for all scholars by increasing access to health, wellness, and nutrition. Cafeteria menus include fresh produce from IDEA CNP Farms, and school meals that include locally grown, farm-fresh organic produce. Explore IDEA’s Harvest of the Month series on YouTube and visit the IDEA CNP Website for newsletters, recipes, and more!