Keeping Farm Animals
Research has shown there are many benefits to raising animals and at Homegrown, we feel little folks are more than capable of managing the responsibilities of tending to farm animals on a daily basis through dedication, grit, teamwork and the overall joy that comes with snuggling a pet.
Our young farmers will learn the life cycles and care needs of dogs and cats, chickens, ducks, goats, sheep, pigs and rabbits to start.
Origins of Food
So often in society, we find a huge disconnect from the food we eat and where it comes from. We have the instant gratification mindset that food must be quick, easy, and convenient. This often translates to food lacking in nutrition and fresh variety. In turn, our children are often not knowledgeable
about where food comes from and how it is grown.
We strive to teach all the kids at Homegrown how to slow down and appreciate the beauty of fresh food, and the nutrition that it provides our bodies. Introducing lasting life skills like nurturing plants, starting gardening projects, and seeing them through to fruition, are valuable lessons that they will never forget. There is much conversation to be had about the health benefits of eating real, fresh foods.
Gardening
At Homegrown, children will have the opportunity to learn about cultivating a variety of fruits, vegetables, grains and herbs with an eco-conscious mindset. Our main emphasis is limiting our carbon footprint and resource conservation, so we broaden critical thinking by asking kids to discover sustainable ways to achieve bulk harvesting. Children will also learn the importance of working in drought conditions through which we hope to develop an appreciation for native Texas flora.
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Our young farmers will get to reap the fruits of their labor and sustain our feathered and four-legged farm residents by growing the necessary crops to provide a healthy, balanced diet.
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Every season will start with a relatively clean slate as we incorporate the ideas and plans our current students prepare with research and team effort. Our little acre is vast for tiny hands and provides sufficient space to build and re-build, but we intend to create a hybrid approach to agriculture by promoting urban farming themes as well, such as vertical gardening and hydroponics.