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From a young age, children benefit from gathering the knowledge and skills necessary to raise plants and develop an organic garden. In earlier times, a significant percentage of people depended on their own abilities to provide sufficient food for their families. While subsistence agriculture is still a factor in many regions of poor and developing nations, the emphasis has now shifted toward large scale commercial plantations. Such enterprises are dominated by limited numbers of high demand crops which are largely processed with the assistance of mechanised technologies. For the last century, sociologists have explained the importance of guardianship in relation to food, development, and sustainability. By establishing guardianship over any...

As demand for organic produce increases, there are strong incentives for industry participants to pursue additional knowledge and technical skills. In most instances, educational courses and training opportunities must accommodate the diversity of experience, expectations, and enthusiasm which individuals invariably bring to these situations. The likelihood of a successful outcome is greatly enhanced when the educational processes are sufficiently flexible to meet the unique requirements of each participant. The majority of learning opportunities for the organic sector can be described within the framework of established educational categories. In summary, these are Tertiary Education, Apprenticeship or Internship, Integrated Systems Training...

From an early age, children are naturally inquisitive and enjoy participating in simple gardening activities. Their interest can be encouraged by allowing them to safely explore the various shapes, colours, and events which surround them. Because most toddlers have short attention spans and tire easily, it is a good idea to restrict the length of each session and to focus on activities which can be readily understood and easily incorporated into their everyday experience of the world. One of the most appealing activities for young children is harvesting brightly coloured fruits and vegetables. With the widespread dominance of supermarkets and packaged foods, it is a privilege for children to experience the original source of fresh produce. Their...

While children can develop their initial appreciation for food and eating well at home, the school environment is often responsible for reinforcing or contradicting this learned behaviour. Unfortunately many of the food choices available to school children are sub-optimal. Convenience foods, which in some instances are nothing more than highly processed amalgams of suspect ingredients, have become a staple for many children. Excessive quantities of sugar, fat, and assorted chemical additives have replaced several of the basic elements required for sound nutrition and normal development. Fortunately there are some dedicated people and organizations working hard to ensure that children receive the opportunity to learn and experience the benefits...