Magellan Community Supported Agriculture

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Goals

Teach students about  "where does the food come from" and sustainable agriculture practices by visiting local farms.

Promote local food and a healthy diet among Magellan families, and help reduce CO2 emissions related to food consumption.

Overview

Community Supported Agriculture is a connection between a local farmer and the people who eat the food that the farm produces.  During this school year Magellan International School worked in a partnership with Green Gate Farms to promote local food and better nutrition among Magellan families.

Green Gate Farms, a small, family-run certified organic farm located in east Austin, offers vegetables, flowers & eggs. Green Gate Farms operates using organic farming methods for both crops and animals, which have a much lower environmental impact than conventional methods.

After the farm expressed a need for more members to support its operations, the Magellan Green Coach served as community organizer to bring Green Gate Farms produce to school families.

People involved

Community Organizer, the Magellan school staff, 6 teachers, 8 goups and 20 member families from the Magellan International School and well the staff from Green Gate Farms.

Completed actions

The Magellan CSA program was successfully launched with Green Gate Farms

Students participated on field trips to Green Gate Farms and other local farms

Outcomes

- 20 Magellan families joined the Green Gate Farms CSA program for the Fall 2012 and Spring 2013 seasons, receiving a weekly share of local produce.

- More than 140 students visited the farm on field trips to learn about sustainable agriculture practices.

_ During the FALL/2012 season, CSA members saved around 2,000 miles by picking up local food at the school. This is more than driving from Austin to Boston. During the SPRING/2013 we saved close to 3400 miles!