Programming

Our education strategy focuses on instilling three core values in beginner youth:

1. Where does our food come from? Understanding the origins of our nourishment and the processes that sustain life.
2. How to harvest and maintain? Developing skills to care for and gather crops responsibly.
3. How to prepare and use the harvest for nourishment? Learning to transform the harvest into meals that sustain both individuals and the community.

Each value creates opportunities for youth to engage deeply with regenerative farming, exploring the interconnected processes of growing, harvesting, and preparing food. At Building Eden, we believe the foundation for creating ecologically mindful humans lies in firsthand experiences. By placing students in gardens where they witness the earth’s ability to create and yield abundance, we empower them to feed themselves and their communities while fostering respect for our planet.

Overtime students are learning the importance of respecting nature, independence, awareness, and self development.

We hope these core values will instill the following:

Respect for Nature

Teaching students the importance of respecting nature is foundational to understanding their role in sustaining life on Earth. By showing them how interconnected ecosystems work and how the land provides for our nourishment, students develop an appreciation for the delicate balance that supports all living things. Respecting nature fosters a sense of stewardship, encouraging students to care for the environment as they would their own home. It instills a mindset that small, mindful actions—like planting a seed or reducing waste—can have profound impacts on the health of the planet and future generations.

Independence and Self-learning

When students realize they have created life with their own hands, a profound sense of accomplishment and responsibility begins to take root. They feel a deep connection to their plants and, as a result, take pride in caring for them. This newfound responsibility encourages students to independently monitor and nurture their plants, ensuring they receive the proper care to thrive and bear the fruits of their labor. Through this process, students develop maturity and a sense of independence, learning the value of patience, dedication, and the impact of their actions on the world around them.

Raising Awareness

This experience encourages raising awareness by helping students understand the direct relationship between their actions and the environment. As they care for their plants, they witness firsthand how their choices—whether in watering, sunlight, or soil care—affect the plant’s growth. This awareness extends beyond the garden, encouraging students to recognize the broader environmental issues such as sustainability, conservation, and the importance of nurturing the planet. As they grow their own food, students become more conscious of where their food comes from and the effort required to sustain it, prompting them to think critically about their environmental impact and share that knowledge with others. Through this hands-on approach, students develop a sense of responsibility not only for their immediate environment but for the global ecosystem, fostering a community of awareness and stewardship.

Personal Development

This hands-on experience enhances students’ personal development in several key ways. By taking responsibility for their plants, they learn important life skills such as patience, dedication, and problem-solving. The process of caring for something from seed to harvest fosters a sense of pride and accomplishment, boosting their self-esteem and confidence. As students nurture their plants, they also develop a deeper sense of empathy and respect for life, which can positively influence their relationships with others. Moreover, the independence required to care for their plants encourages maturity, helping students grow into more responsible, thoughtful individuals who can make informed, conscientious decisions in all areas of their lives.

Holistic wellness extends beyond our environment and what we consume—it encompasses how we use and connect with our bodies. Our bodies were designed to move, create, and form meaningful connections. Building Eden Movement embraces this philosophy by incorporating dance and full-body movement to align, strengthen, and foster connections with one another on the land. Through movement, we celebrate the harmony between mind, body, and nature, enhancing our physical well-being while deepening our connection to the environment and each other.