IDEA Farm Program
ABOUT THE FARM
Welcome! The IDEA Child Nutrition Farm Program is comprised of a network of small educational farms located in Texas, practicing regenerative agriculture techniques. Our team promotes the understanding that humanity is connected to the Earth and our health and well-being can only occur when our farming practices reflect the principles of good stewardship. That is why it is our mission to cultivate wholesome food for the school cafeteria, teach responsible stewardship, and ignite the student spirit.
WHAT WE DO
The Farm Program grows food without the use of synthetic chemicals for IDEA Public Schools’ cafeterias. Every farm grows over 3,400 pounds of produce, all of which are consumed by students in the lunchroom. To date, we have grown over 70,000 pounds of produce, all of which have made their way into hundreds of thousands of meals for students.
In order to positively change the food system, perceptions about food, and population health in a sustainable way, the Farm Program recognizes the need to teach and empower today’s youth. By participating in every aspect of the food-growing process via a project-based curricula, IDEA Public School students become agents of change in their local and global food systems.
Gardening at Home
Video two in the Gardening at Home video series. This week Deborah Ray from IDEA Edgemere in El Paso shows us how to tell the difference between annuals and perennials and why that matters. Hope you enjoy and don’t forget to subscribe to IDEA Farm Program’s channel on YouTube. If there are any topics you’d like to see, go ahead drop in your suggestions in the comments.
PRINCIPLES/TENETS:
- Use scientifically validated pedagogical practices that align developmentally with each student
- Facilitate socio-emotional learning opportunities
- Teach and implement sustainable and regenerative farming practices
- Increase wildlife diversity on the farms
- Promote culturally sensitive opportunities for nutrition access and education
- Encourage critical thinking to find local solutions to global issues
Meet our Team
Hernan Colmenero
CNP Director of Farms,
IDEA HQ RGV
Rocio Hernandez
CNP Farm Assistant Manager,
IDEA HQ RGV
Deborah Ray
CNP Farm Assistant Manager,
IDEA HQ El Paso
Mariana Vargas
CNP Farm Assistant Manager,
IDEA HQ San Antonio
Jaime De Anda
IDEA Donna Farm
Thomas Hernandez
IDEA Horizon Vista Farm
Stephanie Patillo
IDEA Monterrey Park Farm
Jordan Roney
IDEA Elsa Farm
Rojas Oliva
IDEA Edgemere Farm
Brandon Cawthon
IDEA Eastside Farm
Nicole Ozuna
IDEA Quest Farm
Hayley Wood
IDEA Rundberg Farm
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