Agriculture is the life blood of California. As an industry, agriculture
provides one in ten jobs in the state and over 30% of the jobs in the greater
San Joaquin Valley. California food crops are the safest in the world
and our farmers are the most efficient. California has been the #1 agricultural
state for 50 years running. Our farmers not only feed our state and nation,
but also our world.
Unfortunately, most of our children have no idea as to the importance
of agriculture. Most children believe their food comes from a grocery store,
and that brown cows give chocolate milk. An entire generation has no
concept as to the vital relationship between farmers and the food they eat.
However, one program in the heart of California agriculture is changing
this unfortunate scenario.
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The Pizza Farm agricultural awareness program teaches elementary school
students about California's #1 industry by utilizing California's kids
#1 food...pizza! The program demonstrates how farmers grow all the ingredients
needed to make a piping hot, farm fresh pizza!
In a unique and entertaining way , children learn that farmers grow the wheat
for the crust, the tomatoes for the sauce, raise dairy cows which
provide the milk to make cheese, and even raise the pigs for the pepperoni.
Children quickly understand the importance of agriculture when they
realize they would not have their favorite food without a farmer. |
The Pizza Farm program was created by Madera County agri-businessman
Darren Schmall in 1991 out of his concern for the public's lack of understanding
about agriculture. Hundreds of teachers and children were introduced
to the concept over the next two years as classroom materials were
developed by Dr. Jan Duke, 1997 California Teacher of the Year. In
March 1993, Schmall broke ground on one of the most unique and innovative
demonstration farms in the Nation...The Pizza Farm! Located at the Madera District Fairgrounds,
is circular (like a pizza) and is divided into eight pie shaped "slices"
(like a pizza) and grows all the ingredients needed to make a farm-fresh pizza!
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When children arrive at The Pizza Farm, they are given a 15 minute presentation about
"how farmers really do grow pizzas". The instructor provides information
about all of the ingredients of a pizza, as well as food safety,
integrated pest management (IPM), the environment, water conservation,
nutrition, urbanization and even career opportunities. Then it's out
to the farm for an "up close and personal" view of many of the plants
and animals discussed in the classroom. The guided tour takes about
one hour. At the end of the tour each teacher is given a complimentary
curriculum kit so they can continue agriculture education in the classroom.
Teachers can even arrange for a pizza lunch to be served at the end of the tour!
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The Pizza Farm serves a seven county area, including Fresno, Kings, Madera,
Mariposa, Merced, Stanislaus and Tulare counties. Since its opening in
March 1993, The Pizza Farm has told the wonderful story of agriculture
to nearly 10,000 visitors.
The Pizza Farm educational materials are currently being used all across the
nation and replicas of The Pizza Farm are sprouting up all over.
Most recently, a farmer in Ohio has begun building his own Pizza Farm
to educate children in that region. The Pizza Farm has also created
an award winning site on the World Wide Web to share its unique story
with teachers and children around the world. Today, the Pizza Farm
is venturing into agri-tainment and agri-tourism and is introducing
visitors from around the globe to agriculture...California style!
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The Pizza Farm is operated by Thank A Farmer, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) not for
profit organization. The tour guide/instructor is the only paid employee,
as Mr. Schmall donates his time to coordinate the program. Thank A Farmer, Inc.
Board of Directors are volunteer leaders from the surrounding area.
All operating money is derived from individual and corporate donations
and visitor entry fees.
The mission of The Pizza Farm is to educate consumers of all ages
about how their food is grown. Through our innovative approach to
agricultural literacy, we hope to enlighten our urban friends about
the importance of California agriculture. Our message is simple;
Food comes from the farm...even PIZZA. |
PIZZA FARM INFORMATION
GOALS:
• To introduce children and adults to farming
• To educate
consumers of all ages about how their food is grown.
• To create innovative
educational materials that teachers and
students can relate to.
• To demonstrate the importance
of agriculture to our daily lives
and the economy.
• To unite numerous agricultural and educational interests within one program and distribute their teaching materials.
• To provide mentoring opportunities
for 4-H and FFA students.
• To replicate Pizza Farms in other locations.
DISCUSSION
TOPICS:
Corn
Garlic
Herbs
Mushrooms
Olives
Onions
Peppers
Pineapple
Safflower
Sugar Beets
Tomato
Wheat
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Biological Pest Control
Careers
Crop Rotation
Cover Crops
Environment
Fertilization
Food Safety
Forestry
Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Irrigation Technology
Nutrition
Solarization
Urbanization
www / Internet
Water Conservation
Weather
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Beef
Chickens
Dairy
Fish
Goats
Hogs
Rabbits
Sheep
Turkeys
Wildlife
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ATTENDANCE:Approximately 10,000 students per year from pre-school through
sixth grade. Public, private, home and physically/developmentally
disabled schools attend. Approximately 10,000 tourist from origins
around the world.
LOCATION:Madera District Fairgrounds in Madera, California;
which is 20 miles north of Fresno, CA.
CONFIGURATION:
125' diameter circle approximately 1/3 acre with 8 pie-shaped
Pizza Farm home page
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