Nurture the Joy of GROWing

Youth GROWs Earth Literacy Programs offer engaging, hands-on lessons in earth-based sustainability. Focused on community, gardening, pollinators, healthy eating, and the cultural influences on food, these programs inspire young people to grow alongside the earth. Through interactive activities, vibrant children's books, and discussions, youth learn to nurture soil, make sustainable choices, and take collective action for a healthier planet and community.

The content of each program is adapted to accommodate the age/grade level of the participants.

Programs with this icon incorporate the named picture book in the lesson. A copy of this book will be left for K-8 classrooms participating in the program, while supplies last.

Please explore the program offerings listed below. In-class programs are offered at your location, while field trips take place at indoor and outdoor spaces on our urban farm, 900 Oneida Street, Toledo.

Contact Education Coordinator, Myriesha, at 419.720.8714 or myriesha.barber@toledogrows.org.

You can become engaged in the educational programming at Toledo GROWs as a sponsor at various levels.

Contact Yvonne Dubielak for more information: yvonne.dubielak@toledogrows.org

Learn More About Program Sponsorships

Information on our various programs can be found below.

YOUTH PROGRAMS

In-Class Programs

1 hour program at your location for up to 30 youth
Available year round

Fees: 

Within 10 miles of Toledo GROWs - $75 for first program, $50 for additional, same-day programs 

11-30 miles from Toledo GROWs - $85 for first program, $50 for additional, same-day programs 

Payment is due at least one week prior to the scheduled program.

Animals

Pollination Helps Us GROW

Bees are not the only thing buzzing around a garden. Students will learn how pollination works and why it is so important to GROWing food.

Save the Bees (Save the Earth), by Bethany Stahl

Recommended Grades: K-12

Standards Covered: K.LS.1, K.LS.2, 1.LS.1, 2.LS.1, 3.LS.3, 4.LS.1, 5.LS.1, 6.LS.4, 7.LS.1, 8.LS.2, ENV.ES.1, ENV.ER.4, ENV.GP.7

Scout Badges Covered: Brownies - Bugs

GROW with Nature: Discovering Garden Animals

Explore the natural world of gardening, bugs, and other critters! Learn through fun dances, books, and activities how animals such as rabbits and birds in the garden help plants grow.

The Mighty Pollinators (Step Gently, Look Closely), by Helen Frost

Recommended Grade: K-5

Standards Covered: K.LS.1, K.LS.2, 1.ESS.1, 1.LS.2, 2.LS.1, 3.LS.1, 4.LS.1, 5.LS.1

Scout Badges Covered: Brownies - Bugs

GROW Curious: Animal Detective

Learn about a variety of animal traits and characteristics using hands-on materials. Explore scat, tracks, fur and camouflage while learning about animals found in Ohio.

Recommended Grades: K-8

Standards Covered: K.LS.1, K.LS.2, 1.ESS.1, 3.LS.1, 3.LS.3, 4.LS.1, 5.LS.1, 5.LS.2, 6.LS.4, 7.LS.1, 8.LS.1

Scout Badges Covered: Bears - Fur Feathers and Fern

Plants

GROW Fruits and Veggies

Did you know a potato is a root or that celery is a stem?  Through silly dances, interactive games, and hands-on activities, students will work on sorting and counting skills while learning about different parts of the plant that humans eat.

Recommended Grade: Preschool-1

Standards Covered: K.PS.1, 1.SS.6, 1.LS.1, 1.LS.2

GROW What You Eat: Plants on Your Plate

Eating fruits and vegetables is no chore when it’s connected to science! Discover a variety of plants you can eat and their health benefits, while learning the basics of botany.

Recommended Grades: K-5

Standards Covered:K.LS.1, K.LS.2, 1.ESS.1, 1.LS.1, 1.LS.2, 2.LS.1, 3.LS.3, 4.LS.1, 5.LS.1, 5.LS.2

Scout Badges Covered: Tigers - Tiger Bites

GROW Nourished- Healthy Balanced Meals

Students will explore meal traditions from around the world and discuss the importance of incorporating fresh fruits and vegetables into their meals for a healthier lifestyle. Learn practical tips for balanced nutrition and work together to create a delicious, easy-to-make recipe packed with farm-fresh ingredients. Perfect for anyone looking to make healthy eating fun and simple!

Let’s Eat! Mealtime around the World, by Lynne Marie

Recommended Grades: K-12

Standards Covered: K.LS.1, K.LS.2, 1.LS.1, 1.LS.2, 1.SS.3, 1.SS.6, 2.LS.1, 3.ESS.1, 4.ESS.2, 5.LS.1, 6.ESS.5, 7.FCS.5, 8.ESS.3, ENV.ER.4, ENV.GP.7

Scout Badges Covered: Tigers - Tiger Bites

GROW Healthy Roots: Food and Culture

Explore how our favorite family recipes tell stories about cultural heritage and traditions. Participants will create personalized recipe cards for a cherished family dish and discuss the beauty of diversity in food. Students will take part in preparing a flavorful recipe inspired by global cuisine that they will enjoy tasting together. A perfect way to connect with your roots while savoring new flavors!

Cooking Class Global Feast, by Deanna Cook

Recommended Grades: K-12

Standards Covered: K.SS.3, 1.SS.7, 2.SS.9, 3.SS.3, 4.SS.3, 5.SS.10, 6.SS.8, 7.SS.13, 8.SS.1, AH.26, MWH.28, WG

Soil

GROW Healthy Soil: Composting

Learn ways to recycle nutrients by recycling every-day scraps into compost in this interactive lesson about the importance of healthy soil for growing food.

Composting for Community, by Michael Martinez and Hannah Abbo

Recommended Grades: 4-12

Standards Covered: 4.ESS.2, 5.LS.1, 6.ESS.5, 7.FCS.5, 8.ESS.3, ENV.ES.1, ENV.ER.4, ENV.GP.7, ENV.GP.4

Worms GROW Gold- Build-A-Bin

Learn why worms are so important to Earth, humans, and gardening and how you can start your own worm composting system. We will learn what Black Gold is and how we can help create this all on our own!

Zara's Zany Worms, by TriBliss Inc.

Recommended Grades: K-12

Standards Covered: K.LS.1, K.LS.2, 1.LS.2, 2.LS.1, 3.ESS.1, 4.ESS.2, 5.LS.1, 6.ESS.5, 7.FCS.5, 8.ESS.3, ENV.ER.4, ENV.ER.1, ENV.GP.4, ENV.GP.7 

Scout Badges Covered: Bears - Fur Feathers and Ferns

Field Trips

1½ hour field trip to Toledo GROWS Farm for up to 30 students
Available April through October

Fees: $5 per participant ($75 minimum)

$75 minimum payment due at least one week prior to the scheduled program. For groups of 16-30 students, $5 additional per each student over 15 is due the day of the field trip.

GROWing Junior Farmers

Explore the farm and see what it's like to get your hands dirty.  Plant seeds, learn about chickens and honeybees, and see how much fun it is to be a junior farmer!

Recommended Grade: Preschool

GROWing Farmers for a Day

Students learn about the plant life cycle and put their plant knowledge to practice on the farm. Students participate in one of the stages of the plant life cycle, from planting to harvesting, depending upon the season.

Recommended Grades: K-12

Standards Covered: K.LS.1, K.LS.2, 1.ESS.1, 1.LS.1, 2.LS.1, 4.ESS.2, 5.LS.1, 6.ESS.4, 7.LS.1, 8.LS.2, ENV.ES.1, ENV.ER.4, ENV.GP.7, B.DI.2

Scout Badges Covered: Lions - Ready, Set, Grow!;  Juniors - Gardener

Pollinators Help Us GROW

What would we do without bees? Learn how bees pollinate plants and how, without bees, we would not have many of our favorite foods. High school students will focus on why biodiversity is important and what is causing declines in bee populations.

Recommended Grades: Pre-K-12

Standards Covered: K.LS.1, K.LS.2, 1.LS.1, 2.LS.1, 3.LS.3., 4.LS.1, 5.LS.1, 6.LS.4, 7.LS.1, 8.LS.2, ENV.ES.1, ENV.ER.4, ENV.GP.7, B.DI.2

Scout Badges Covered: Tigers - My Tiger Jungle; Brownies - Bugs

GROW, Harvest, Yum!

A hands-on farm adventure where kids explore how food grows, from seed to snack! They’ll dig in the dirt and discover how fruits, veggies, and herbs transform into tasty meals. The best part? Yum. Kids will enjoy a delicious farm-fresh treat they helped create. This fun, interactive journey connects young learners to their food, inspiring healthy eating and a love for nature. From GROWing to Harvesting to Eating.

Recommended Grades: K-12

Standards Covered: K.LS.1, K.LS.2, 1.LS.1, 1.LS.2, 1.SS.3, 1.SS.6, 2.LS.1, 3.ESS.1, 4.ESS.2, 5.LS.1, 6.ESS.5, 7.FCS.5, 8.ESS.3, ENV.ER.4, ENV.GP.7

Scout Badges Covered: Tigers - Tiger Bites

Worms GROW Gold

Using the scientific method and tools to identify decomposers and evaluate the soil quality as they gain an appreciation for the beauty of Black Gold. Junior high and high school students will focus on how soil is created through weathering and erosion, as well as ways to improve soil quality.

Recommended Grades: K-12

Standards Covered: K.LS.1, K.LS.2, 1.LS.1, 1.LS.2, 2.LS.1, 3.ESS.1, 4.ESS.2, 5.LS.1, 6.ESS.5, 8.ESS.3, ENV.ES.1, ENV.ER.4, ENV.GP.7, B.DI.2

Scout Badges Covered: Bears - Fur Feathers and Ferns

Inclusive Education

For all ages and ability levels.
We will work with you to adapt for the abilities of your inclusive class.

Programs designed with everyone in mind. Each curriculum is adaptable for a variety of audiences but has a primary emphasis on students with disabilities. Our educator will work with you to create the perfect program for your group.

In Class: 1 Hour Program

GROW Container Gardens
Gardens grow inside and outside! It doesn’t matter if you live in a tiny apartment or on a giant farm, you can grow your own food wherever you are!

GROW with Beautiful Bugs
Bugs play a vital role in the success of a garden and are such fun to study. We will look at how pollination works, life cycles, and create a fun bug craft.

Field Trips: 1½ Hour Program

GROW Farm Skills
There are so many things to see and do in a garden! Learn fun farm skills and have a blast learning through games, a scavenger hunt, and digging in the dirt.

GROW Curious with Sights and Sounds
Gardens are a beautiful place to use your senses. Get your hands dirty in one of our sensory bins, use your ears to hear the sounds of our chickens, and use your eyes to take in the sights around you.

For the health and safety of all involved in our programs, Toledo GROWs has the following procedures in place:

• Individuals exhibiting symptoms of illness or having a fever should not take part in programs or come to Toledo GROWs urban farm
• Leaders of groups of children are responsible to conduct health screenings of participants before taking part in Toledo GROWs programming
• Attendance for programs at Toledo GROWs’ urban farm is limited to 30 participants
• When the weather and program permit, lessons at Toledo GROWs are conducted outdoors

Contact our Education Coordinator, Myriesha, at 419.720.8714 or myriesha.barber@toledogrows.org.