The Coops & Gardens Initiative
A comprehensive approach to improving food security and reducing barriers to education.
Food insecurity affects over 2 billion people worldwide and has been shown to negatively impact students’ ability to learn.
We empower individuals to take charge of their food systems by increasing nutritional knowledge and awareness within communities.
This in turn leads to healthier lifestyles and prepares communities to seize future opportunities while navigating the complexities of the global food landscape.
The Coops & Gardens Initiative utilizes community-based, hands-on learning to increase knowledge, empower healthy lifestyles, and prepare the next generation for future opportunities.
We help schools and nonprofits set up their own chicken coops and gardens to meet specific needs of their comunities.
Coops & Gardens Programs Are Sustainable
Local Food Access and Sustainable Sourcing
The Coops & Gardens Initiative seeks to enhance access to local foods in eligible Title I schools that have Child Nutrition Programs (CNP). We help schools create Farm to School experiences by integrating community gardens and chicken coops into schools. We also help our Coops & Gardens Programs partner with local food producers to facilitate a direct connection between students and local harvests.
When setting up Coops & Gardens Programs, schools are encouraged to be as sustainable as possible. This includes finding ways to minimize waste through composting and repurposing secondhand items.
Dismantling Barriers to Education
Chicken raising in schools has been linked to improving not only knowledge of biology and STEM subjects but has been shown to enhance most aspects of learning. Through partnerships with educators and educational institutions, Chickens.org is creating lesson plans to integrate chickens, gardening and composting into existing school curricula to help teachers reach educational standards. We are also designing workshops and farm visits to help educators develop their school programs! Our programs deepen students’ understanding of sustainable agriculture, increase utilization of food, and improve students’ nutritional knowledge and snack preferences!
What Coops & Gardens Programs Offer
Custom Plans
Tailored strategies to meet each community’s specific needs, including site visits and consultations with school leaders.
Funding & Strategy Development
Support to establish and maintain coops and gardens sustainably, including fundraising help, worksheets to set up your program, and more.
Practical Resources
Easy-to-follow chicken-raising and gardening practices to get programs started.
Lesson Plans
Educational materials to teach nutrition, agricultural skills, and enhance students’ reading comprehension and critical thinking, fostering both health and career success.
Online Community Connections
Access to our private Coops & Gardens Program Facebook group where schools can share best practices, information, and resources with other program participants.
Take the Next Step!
Coops & Gardens in Schools
Educational Resources
The Coops & Gardens Grant
Become A Mentor
Are you a small business, family farm, hobby gardener, or backyard chicken keeper?
Sign up to become a mentor for a Coops & Gardens Program in your area!
Donate to the Coops & Gardens Grant
Join our community of changemakers through a tax-deductible, one-time, monthly, or yearly donation to help schools set up their own Coops & Gardens Programs!
Become A Mentor
Are you a small business, family farm, hobby gardener, or backyard chicken keeper? Sign up to become a mentor for a Coops & Gardens Program in your area!
Donate to the Coops & Gardens Grant
Join our community of changemakers through a tax-deductible, one-time, monthly, or yearly donation to help schools set up their own Coops & Gardens Programs!