Rooted in Service: A Greenhouse Initiative Project

​​​

Purpose

​​​

Rooted in Service is designed as part of the PBI Global project to give students hands-on experience with sustainable agriculture practices and community service. As a first-year teacher, I am excited to guide students through this project and help them see the real-world impact of their learning.Students will explore agricultural practices from around the world, and apply them locally by growing crops in the campus greenhouse. This project will be centered around Finland, allowing students to examine key differences in agriculture, food security, and community health between the two countries. Through this work, students will see firsthand how food production, nutrition, and public health intersect with global issues such as food security and disease prevention.

 

Student Learning Outcomes

​

Students will:

 

• Gain practical knowledge of plant biology, soil health, and sustainable growing practices while learning alongside me as I develop my own experience guiding hands-on projects

• Understand how agriculture can address local and global food insecurity

• Develop problem-solving, data collection, and analytical skills by tracking plant growth, yields, and harvest outcomes

• Experience civic engagement through donating crops to local community programs

• Explore connections between healthcare and agriculture, including nutrition, disease prevention, and public health initiatives

Healthcare and Global Connections

• Students will investigate how agricultural practices in Finland contribute to community health, nutrition, and disease prevention

• Compare strategies for food security and health outcomes between North Carolina and Finland using PBI case studies

• Discuss ethical considerations in community health and agriculture, including access to nutritious food

 

Impact on Students

​

• Hands-on learning strengthens understanding of biology, sustainability, and global health concepts

• Students develop civic responsibility by contributing to local food programs and seeing the impact of their contributions

• Collaboration and reflection enhance teamwork, communication, and critical thinking skills

 

Impact on School and Community

 

• Supports the school’s mission to integrate experiential learning with global awareness

• Provides fresh produce to local food pantries and community partners

• Establishes a model for sustainable, student-led service-based projects aligned with PBI Global Initiatives​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​