Curricular Resources

Farm to School Connections to Climate Change Standards 

Agricultural Literacy lesson plans and resources for K-12. Lesson plans and resources connect NJ Climate Change Standards to Agricultural Literacy. 

Rutgers Food Waste Unit Plan for 5th Grade 

Additional Farm to School Lessons + Curricula Connected to Climate: 

Sustainable Economics: The Triple Bottom Line - a unit looking at the decisions consumers and producers make through the triple lens of the environment, the economy, and from an equity perspective. Created by Shelburne Farms. 

Learning Lab - a searchable database K-12 lessons in sustainability from US Green Building Council 

The Center for Ecoliteracy Food & Sustainability Resources - has a number of guides and model activities for schools including: 

• Big Ideas: Linking food, Culture, Health & The Environment with Academic Standards - created in partnership with National Geographic, with examples of learning experiences that link food, culture, health, and the environment 
• Rethinking School Lunch Guide - a planning framework for improving school food, supporting sustainable food systems, and teaching integrating curriculum around food issues. 

Latinx Heritage Month 

Native American History Month 

• Vegetarian Pemmican 

Jersey Tastes! Harvest of the Month - connecting the classroom and the cafeteria through Farm to School lessons and recipes  

National Agriculture in the Classroom - a teacher resource for agriculture literacy and lesson plans from K-12 

The Edible Schoolyard Project - a searchable database of PreK-12 lessons and activities on food, farming, nutrition and more 

FoodCorps  - includes hands-on experiential activities to engage kids in learning about healthy food through growing and cooking activities. 

Kids Gardening Curriculum   - "Garden Tested" by educators and students around the country for Grades K-5

Cycles in the Garden - a K-4 hands-on unit of study that builds scientific habits of mind and celebrates the cycles found in a garden community, created by Shelburne Farms 

Life Lab Curriculum & Online Lessons - Life Lab's Curriculum resources include garden lessons, recipe lessons, garden planning & design, and planting and care tips. Resources are also available en espanol. 

City Blossoms Cultivating Young Leaders: A Workbook for Growing a Youth-led Cooperative Business - an innovative resource, informed by the work of City Blossoms' Youth Entrepreneurship Cooperative program, is complete with templates and tools to support anyone interested in connecting high school youth with gardens and entrepreneurship skill-building.

Nourish Food Systems Curriculum - an educational initiative that combines PBS television, curriculum resources, web content, short fils, and professional learning 

FoodSpan - a high school curriculum to empower students to make healthy & responsible food choices through deep exploration of the food system from the John Hopkins for a Liveable Future 

Food Day - an upper elementary and middle school curriculum designed to teach children the importance of eating real, fresh food, cutting back on processed foods, and advocating for a healthier community. 

Food Foundations Unit - a kindergarten lesson sequence to develop the scientific and culinary curiosity of young learners

MyPlate for Communicators & Educators 

This toolkit directs those who incorporate MyPlate messages into their communications and lesson plans to a broad array and information and resources.

Great Garden Detective: Curriculum for Grades 3rd & 4th

Discover what fruits and vegetables are sweetest, crunchiest, and juiciest through a series of investigations and fun experiences connecting the school garden to the classroom, school cafeteria, and home. This eleven-lesson curriculum for 3rd and 4th grades includes bulletin board materials, veggie dice, fruit and vegetable flash cards, and ten issues of Garden Detective News for parents/caregivers. 

Dig In!: Curriculum for Grades 5th & 6th 

Explore a world of possibilities in the garden and on your plate using ten inquiry-based lessons that engage 5th and 6th graders in grwoing, harvesting, tasting, and learning about fruits and vegetables. 

Pre-K Lessons