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.

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!

Take the Next Step!

Coops & Gardens in Schools

Learn about the benefits of raising chickens gardening at your school and see what other schools are doing on their campuses!

Educational Resources

Find free lesson plans and activities to incorporate chickens, gardening, composting, & sustainability into your classes!

The Coops & Gardens Grant

Apply for the Coops & Gardens funds-matching grant and find resources to start your own Coops & Gardens Program!

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!