Started in 2001 with 33 students, Codman Academy Charter Public School (CACPS) now serves 350 students from pre-k to 12th grade. CACPS is located in the heart of Dorchester, Massachusetts. This is one of the most economically underserved neighborhoods in the Boston area. Virtually all students qualify for free or reduced price lunch through the National School Lunch Program. Part of the school’s vision is to, “educate the whole student: mind, body, and character” as well as, “build a school community rich in rigorous academics and daily experiences of discovery.”

In Fiscal Year 2020, Codman Academy was awarded a USDA Farm to School Implementation grant to expand upon and enhance their urban agriculture program. At the core of their program is hands-in-the-dirt education, in collaboration with city partners.

One partner, Green City Growers (GCG), works with CACPS to offer an after-school enrichment program that allows students to participate in garden-related activities. Earlier in the fall, GCG and CACPS harvested lettuce to make salads and learned how to save seeds from fruits. This past fall, they carved pumpkins, created pollinator seed balls, and harvested sweet potatoes.

Each year, high school student Farm Food Ambassadors are selected to partner with community producers and learn garden management. The 14 varieties of produce that are grown in the garden are then harvested and sold by students. The most recent harvest in September yielded $70 in profits for the Farm Food Ambassadors program.

One Farm Food Ambassador, Kayla, explained, “I spread the word around my school and try to get as many customers as I can to come outside and check out the market that is happening. I learned how to count change and give customer service. I am also learning how to grow food! I love the nasturtium leaves; they are spicy, and I didn’t know you could eat flowers!”

Codman Academy encourages their students to be proactive in their local government. In January 2022, tenth grade Farm Food Ambassador, Miriam Baxtor, addressed the Massachusetts State Legislators regarding farm bills S.349 and H.686, one of which aims to establish a statewide farm to school grant program.

In her testimony, Miriam wrote, “If this bill was passed, more schools like ours could have a beautiful garden and many students from all different grades will get a chance to learn how to grow vegetables in the school garden and understand how eating fresh vegetables is the first step towards a healthy life for all young people in schools.”

A “community learning garden” at Codman Square Health Center has sprouted in the shared backyard between the health center and Codman Academy, creating a green, outdoor classroom as well as a space for hands-on learning about agriculture, nutrition, and food justice. Developed as part of a partnership and collaboration between Codman Academy and Codman Square Health Center, the garden is an example of how community health centers and schools can creatively use small outdoor spaces to promote healthy lifestyles and disease prevention.

FoodCorps service members help kids learn about, grow, cook, and eat nourishing foods in school. They build lasting partnerships with communities dedicated to healthy kids, food education, and food justice. 

Are you passionate about fueling kids’ bodies and minds?

This year’s application deadline is March 31, 2022.

Virtual 4-H Camp | 4-H

This year, National 4-H Council is taking their summer camps outdoors with Virtual 4-H Camp! We’ve all spent a lot of time indoors over the last year, so they are encouraging kids to get outside, explore, and get their hands dirty.