GROW La Crosse has the following focuses:
GROW YOUR ROOTS
Through farm experiences, we connect child to healthy food and nature. During field trips and farm camps, engage in the real daily work of the farm including planting, tending, and harvesting vegetables to take home with them, and caring for the farm animals (horses, pigs, chickens, cows). Education about the biology of the natural world, in particular conservation biology, underlies all the activities. Participants also learn about the daily needs of farm animals by caring for them, and respectful interactions are emphasized.
GROW YOUR BRAIN
Through school gardens, GROW will create experiences for children that promote healthy FOOD choices. We build and maintain gardens to help take the work off teachers. We offer hands-on education sessions, science lessons connecting to curriculum, taste tests, and help get fresh food into the cafeteria. We currently have gardens at State Road Elementary School, Hamilton Elementary School, Hintgen Elementary, Gundersen Childcare Center and the School of Technology and Arts 1 in La Crosse, WI, Coon Valley Elementary, La Crescent-Hokah Elementary and Minnesota Excellence in Learning Academy in Maple Grove, MN.