An Introduction To School-Based Farms, Cross-Curriculum Priorities & Industry

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About Course

Unlock Real-World Learning with School Farms

School farms provide an engaging, hands-on environment where students connect theory to practice. Rather than relying solely on textbooks and classroom discussions, students experience learning by planting seeds, monitoring growth, and managing farm systems. These activities build essential skills like observation, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

This experiential approach also supports diverse learning styles. For students who struggle in traditional settings, working with their hands and seeing real-world results can dramatically boost engagement and knowledge retention.

Beyond academic achievement, school farms expose students to urgent global themes—sustainability, food security, and resource management—preparing them for a changing world.

Professional Development for Educators

This PD program equips educators with the skills and confidence to integrate food systems education into their curriculum. Learn how to leverage your school’s farm as a dynamic teaching tool that bridges STEM, Humanities, and cross-disciplinary learning.

Gain insights into how food systems link with sustainability, industry, and global competencies, and bring meaningful, real-world learning into your classroom.

Ideal For: High school teachers and community educators across STEM, Humanities, and integrated subjects.

Empower your students through education that grows from the ground up.

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What Will You Learn?

  • In this course, you will explore the evolution of food systems and how they connect with STEM, sustainability, and industry to create engaging, real-world learning experiences for students. By the end, you will:
  • + Understand the history and future of food systems – from traditional farming to cutting-edge innovations like vertical farming, aquaponics, and regenerative agriculture.
  • + Gain practical strategies for using a school farm to enhance student learning across STEM, Humanities, and Creative Arts.
  • + Embed sustainability frameworks, such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), into your teaching to develop global competence.
  • + Explore career pathways in agriculture, food science, and sustainability and learn how to connect students with real-world industry opportunities.
  • + Create an interdisciplinary lesson plan that integrates food systems education, sustainability, and industry linkages, ensuring students are future-ready.
  • This course empowers you to rethink how food systems can transform learning. It equips you with the tools to inspire your students and embed high-impact, globally relevant education into your teaching practice.

Course Content

What Is a School-Based Farm?
Understand the many forms of school-based farms—whether in-ground, container, aquaponic, hydroponic, vertical, rooftop, or indoor. Learn how farms of any size can create big impact and see examples from urban, regional, and remote schools showcasing their flexibility and value.

  • Video Lesson
    06:18

Understanding Agricultural Food Systems as a Learning Lens
Learn what makes up the agricultural and food system—growing, processing, distribution, access, and waste—and how food connects to climate, health, economy, and equity. Discover how food systems offer a powerful, inclusive lens for learning that’s relevant to every student.

Why Food and Farming Literacy Matters Now
Understand why food literacy is critical amid climate disruption, biodiversity loss, and health challenges. Explore global trends like youth disconnection from nature and urban reliance on distant food systems. Connect food literacy to key educational goals—sustainability, wellbeing, resilience, and student agency.

Debunking Myths About School Farms
Think school farms are only for Ag teachers or big budgets? Think again. This module breaks down common myths—showing how any school, even in urban areas, can start small, share the load, and tap into support to make it work.

Why School-Based Farms Matter for Teaching and Learning
School farms offer an immersive, hands-on learning experience that brings subjects to life. Instead of relying solely on textbooks and theory, students engage directly by planting, observing growth, and managing systems—building real-world skills in problem-solving, observation, and critical thinking. This practical approach supports diverse learning styles, especially for students who struggle with traditional methods. Seeing tangible results boosts engagement and retention. More than just academic, school farms connect students to vital themes like sustainability, resource management, and food security—preparing them for a future shaped by global change.

Using Your School Based Farm as a Learning Tool
In this lesson, educators explore how to integrate school farm activities across multiple subject areas to enhance student engagement and deepen learning. From biology and engineering to mathematics and cultural studies, the school farm becomes a living classroom where theory meets real-world application. The lesson includes practical examples and a case study of Barrambin Farm at Kelvin Grove State College, demonstrating how successful farm programs can influence curriculum, extracurricular activities, and student development. Teachers will gain insight into planning lessons that use the farm to foster critical thinking, data analysis, creativity, and a deeper understanding of sustainability. This lesson prepares educators to use their school’s farm as a dynamic teaching resource, aligning with curriculum goals and 21st-century skills.

Health and Safety in Farm-Based Learning
This lesson guides teachers in managing safety on school farms, ensuring a secure environment for students, staff, and visitors. It explains key responsibilities under Workplace Health and Safety laws and shows how to embed safety into everyday teaching. Teachers will learn how to identify and manage risks, conduct safety checks, and provide effective safety training for students. The lesson also covers how to maintain the farm as a shared space, work with industry partners or school staff to manage hazards, and create a culture of responsibility.

Food Safety and Diverse Skillsets
This lesson helps teachers understand how to manage food safety on a school farm. From planting to harvest and distribution, safe handling practices protect students, the community, and the reputation of the program. Teachers will learn how to track produce, maintain hygiene, comply with food safety laws, and involve industry partners for extra support. Students benefit by learning real-world skills in traceability, safe food handling, and quality assurance. These skills support both health and future career opportunities in agriculture, food science, and sustainability. This lesson ensures school-grown produce is handled responsibly and safely at every step.

Fostering Strong Industry Partnerships
This lesson introduces the importance of industry partnerships in supporting sustainable, effective school farm programs. Teachers will learn how to identify suitable partners, set clear agreements, and integrate expert support into teaching. The focus is on building structured, long-term collaborations that enhance student learning and reduce teacher workload.

Agriculture and Food System Jobs of the Future
Discover emerging careers in agritech, sustainability, and food innovation—from vertical farming to carbon farming and food entrepreneurship. Learn how to connect classroom learning to real-world futures that excite and inspire students.

Embedding Farms in Schools as a National Priority
Explore why every school should have a growing system to tackle the rural-urban divide and declining interest in agriculture. This module highlights the importance of food and farming literacy as a right for all students—not just an elective.

Conclusion and Next Steps
Wrap up with a recap of key ideas—farm integration, safety, partnerships, and future opportunities. Get practical advice for getting started, from simple audits to building a farm team, plus access to resources, curriculum links, and ongoing support.

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