Seeds of Sustainability: Lower School Students Explore Regenerative Farming 

St. Margaret’s grade 3 students recently enjoyed a visit to The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano. The field trip served as an introduction to connecting sustainable agriculture within the Global Goal of zero hunger. 

Building on their participation in the FAM Hunger Walk and the discussions leading up to it, grade 3 students' trip to the Ecology Center focused on teaching students about regenerative farming. By learning where food comes from, how it is grown and how to avoid waste through composting, students gain practical insights into sustainable food practices. These lessons are tied to broader goals of reducing hunger and supporting the earth. 

According to Lower School teacher Penny Mateer, the trip to The Ecology Center is just the beginning of the learning. “Over the next few months, we will reinforce these connections through book read-alouds and by engaging students in a service project to package care bags for Welcome Inn, further deepening their understanding of how small actions contribute to addressing hunger.”

Students remarked on how fresh everything tasted, and The Ecology Center staff explained how freshness is impacted by the journey of produce from farm to store—a process that can take weeks. This helped students understand the benefits of eating local and in-season foods, not just for their taste and nutritional value but also for the role they play in sustainable agriculture. 

While students were curious about favorites like strawberries, the staff used these questions to discuss crop rotation and seasonal availability. 

 

“We hope students come away with a clear understanding of what regenerative farming is and why it’s vital for our planet's and communities' health,” Mrs. Mateer said. “We also hope this experience inspires them to make healthier food choices, such as ‘eating the rainbow,’ and to see the role that thoughtful consumption plays in building resilient communities.”