Growing the Future with Apple Seeds

Q. What is the history of Apple Seeds?

Apple Seeds was founded in 2007 by a team from Ozark Natural Foods who recognized the importance of connecting students to fresh, healthy food. Today, we serve about 20,000 students each year through hands-on learning in growing, harvesting and preparing food. After inspiring kids with a love of fresh food, we deliver thousands of pounds of produce from our farm to their schools for students to take home to their families.

Q. What do kids respond to most when they visit the farm and get to cook or harvest something themselves?

Kids respond to the sensory, hands-on nature of the experience and the sense of discovery and ownership. Being in the garden helps them understand where food comes from and realize food doesn’t just appear on a plate. Cooking continues the magic — washing, cutting and preparing what they harvested. When kids have this much interaction with fresh food, they start to associate fun and social activities with eating vegetables. That’s the starting point for lasting, healthy habits.

Q. What’s coming into season at Apple Seeds this time of year, and how do you incorporate it into classes?

This is the time when fresh greens come to life. In addition to baby greens and sprouts, we overwinter carrots and kale, which students harvest throughout the cold months. We also use high tunnels with passive heating to keep crops growing year-round. Students make kale chips, vegetable dips, roasted roots and smoothies using what they harvest.

Q. Ozarks Electric was created to bring electricity to farms and rural homes. How can people today keep a connection to the land, even without a big garden?

Any size garden keeps you connected to the seasons and to fresh food. Even a pot of thyme builds that connection as it flowers, sends up new sprouts or dies back for winter. Our farm manager, Paul Deer, pays attention to the whole environment — lightning bugs, migrating birds, caterpillars making cocoons. All of it is part of a broader seasonal cycle that builds connection.

Q. What recipe are you sharing and why?

We share recipes that are simple, flavorful and designed to be made almost entirely by kids. Our Sunrise Skillet uses sweet potatoes, turnips and leafy greens. It’s easy for kids to prepare and has been enjoyed by thousands of fifth graders.

The Sunrise Skillet has been prepared by thousands of students at Apple Seeds. (Photos provided by Apple Seeds.)