"Fruit Tree 101" is a program that creates thriving fruit tree orchards in schoolyards around the world so students have a source of improved nutrition and environmental education. The outdoor edible classrooms not only help clean and beautify campuses while providing a source of fresh, sustainable, healthy nutrition, but they also give teachers an excuse to hold class outside! Each donation is a vote for the importance of environmental education, access to fresh fruit, and time spent outdoors.
Every year, the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation's "Fruit Tree 101" program works with thousands of students at schools around the world in order to create access to fresh nutrition and outdoor learning experiences. Every school participates in a fun and interactive planting event that gets kids excited about fruit trees, nutrition, and the environment; however, we want the excitement to continue far beyond planting day and result in the next generation of environmental stewards.
FTPF has the exciting opportunity to expand this program through the development of a standards-based curriculum that will allow teachers to use orchard lessons to fulfill state-mandated education requirements. Schools will be able to use the trees as teaching tools to actively engage students before, during, and after planting! Lessons will be interdisciplinary and appropriate for students of all ages, featuring innovative activities in math, science, art, and English-all in the new orchards!
Time spent outdoors is essential for every single child. The "Fruit Tree 101" curriculum will allow students to form a life-long bond with these fruit trees, but also with what it means to engage actively with nature, the environment, our food system, and hands-on learning. We have seen first-hand how "Fruit Tree 101" events affect students through our thousands of plantings around the whole over the past 15 years, and can't wait to expand the learning potential through an official curriculum!
