By Jennifer Dorsett

I’ll never forget my first garden. I planted the seeds. Watered them. And tiny green sprouts began to emerge several days later.

With more water throughout the growing season, some fertilizer and a watchful eye, I grew a nice little crop in my garden.

I was proud of my work. The experience cultivated a passion for agriculture and growing things that still exists today. And it all started with a tiny seed.

That experience is what Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) tries to create for students across the state.

TFB’s Planting the Seed program shows students in kindergarten through fifth grade how crops start out as seeds and eventually end up in products they buy at the grocery store.

Educators visit students in both rural and urban schools. They help reconnect students with the farmers and ranchers who grow their food, fiber and fuel.

The students get their hands dirty as they plant their own seed in a cup. They water it, and watch it grow throughout the semester.

The hands-on learning helps them understand what farmers do and how crops, such as corn, turn into food and other household products they may not expect—like toothpaste.

The lesson plans are aligned to Texas teaching standards to help teachers incorporate agricultural concepts into the classroom.

This year, 36,531 students have been reached through the program so far. That’s 36,531 chances to help Texas students understand how and where our food is grown.

And hopefully planting the seed for agricultural literacy.

Click here for more information on the school visit program or to request a visit to your school.