Workshop Details
The first workshop in the Lifecycle of Farm to School training series, Seed Starting was held on Thursday, January 27, 2022. The workshop provided information about how to start seeds indoors in the winter to plant in the school garden in the spring. The workshop included instruction for starting seeds indoors with video demonstration, a self-guided exploration of different fruits and vegetables to grow in the school garden, and networking time to make connections to individuals and resources.
Workshop Objectives Include:
- Communicate the benefits of starting seeds for a school garden.
- Recognize the key determinants for seed starting indoors versus direct-sowing outdoors.
- Understand the process of seed starting to be able to successfully start seeds for a school garden.
- Identify a team to help with seed starting and tending to the seedlings throughout the germination process.
- Engage in the planning process; understand seed starting as a step in an annual cycle of school garden.
Benefits
Planting seeds has many benefits including:
Food Service Benefits
- Relatively inexpensive
- Increases access to local foods
- Expands variety of food offerings for menu planning
- Introduces students and school staff to food service operations
General Benefits
- Can be incorporated into science and math lessons
- Enjoyed by all ages
- Promotes life-long healthy eating habits
- Provides hands-on learning opportunities for students
Resources
- Seed Starting Presentation: The full PowerPoint presentation from the live workshop.
- Seed Starting Video: A brief overview of planting seeds indoors before eventually transferring them to an outdoor garden.
- Resource to Find Materials for Seed Starting: Ideas for where to purchase seeds, seed starting mix, heat mats, lights, and more!
- Resource to Find Assistance with Seed Starting: Ideas for who you can partner with to help with your seed starting venture.
- Seed Starting e-Learning: Determine your Frost-Free Date and browse for plants you want to start from seed.
- Seed Starting Workshop Action Plan: Use this template to develop a goal and plan for starting seeds.
- Time Lapse of Seed Sprouting: A two-minute video of time lapse photography.
- Seed Starting 2nd Graders Video: Shell Lake School District discuss steps to start seeds indoors with the help of AmeriCorps F2S member Emily High.
- Students Plant Cucumbers Video: Howard-Suamico School District students plant cucumber seeds outdoors with the help of AmeriCorps member David Lee Schneider.
- Seed Starting In a Nutshell