Village Farms Fresh is committed to fostering connections among its community, education, and sustainable agriculture. Over the past six months, it has partnered with local school districts in the Big Bend region of Texas to provide greenhouse tours for students.
With visionary support from the Big Bend Conservation Alliance (BBCA), the company has offered enriching educational experiences to young learners. This collaboration has extended its reach across five schools: Presidio Elementary, Marfa Middle School, Fort Davis Elementary, Terlingua Elementary, and Alpine Elementary.
The tours have been integrated into the classroom curriculum focused on sustainable agriculture. Students have been engaged with the hydroponic growing system, Flex Farms to cultivate lettuce.
Over the past six months, Village Farms has partnered with local school districts in the Big Bend region of Texas to provide greenhouse tours for students.
Since the first visit with 4th and 5th grade students from Fort Davis Elementary in December 2023, Village Farms has welcomed 125 students from grades three to eight across Fort Davis, Marfa, Alpine, and Presidio school communities over the past six months.
"We have a long history in its dedication to interacting and working with our local community whenever the opportunity presents itself," says Derin Gemmel, vice president of human resources.
"The Flex Farm teaches students innovative technologies while inspiring them to grow food," says Elvira Hermosillo, program manager for BBCA. "Visiting the greenhouse has helped students connect what they're doing in the classroom to the world around them."
During their visits, students marveled at the greenhouse's scale, especially the logistical marvel of the long train-like carts transporting tomato boxes out of the greenhouse. Their fascination with observing bees actively pollinating plants underscores their newfound appreciation for the interconnectedness of ecosystems and agriculture.
"Seeing the children's faces light up when they saw the size and productivity of our greenhouses, our bumblebee pollination and our staff doing the hard work of tending the crop was a joy. BBCA and Village Farms are forming lifelong connections for these students as they see the principles they're learning in the classroom reflected on an industrial scale in the business world," says Abigail Lange, facility manager Marfa, Village Farms Fresh.
Through its collaborative efforts with the BBCA and the enthusiasm of local educators and students alike, Village Farms Fresh is proud to sow the seeds of knowledge and inspiration.
For more information:
Helen L. Aquino
Village Farms International Inc.
Tel.: +1 (407) 936-1190
www.villagefarms.com