Collaborative Effort with Big Bend Conservation Alliance Brings Hands-On Greenhouse Tours to Local Students
Village Farms Fresh has recently partnered with local school districts in the Big Bend region of Texas to provide students with educational greenhouse tours, fostering connections among the community, education, and sustainable agriculture. Over the past six months, this initiative has involved students from five schools: Presidio Elementary, Marfa Middle School, Fort Davis Elementary, Terlingua Elementary, and Alpine Elementary.
Supported by the Big Bend Conservation Alliance (BBCA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the cultural and natural heritage of the region, Village Farms Fresh has enriched students’ learning experiences by integrating these tours into their classroom curriculum focused on sustainable agriculture. These hands-on experiences have engaged students with hydroponic growing systems like Flex Farms, where they cultivate lettuce, sparking their natural curiosity about modern farming practices.
The collaboration began in December 2023 with visits from 4th and 5th-grade students from Fort Davis Elementary. Since then, Village Farms Fresh has hosted a total of 125 students from grades 3 to 8. These tours have played a crucial role in connecting theoretical classroom learning with real-world applications, especially in understanding the importance of sustainable agricultural practices.
Derin Gemmel, Vice President of Human Resources at Village Farms Fresh, expressed the company’s enthusiasm for the project: “Village Farms Fresh has a long history of dedication to interacting and working with our local community whenever the opportunity presents itself. We were very excited to work with our local youth and school districts when the BBCA reached out to us with this valuable initiative.”
As stated in the report, the BBCA program aims to enhance food accessibility and educate students about sustainable farming methods. Hydroponic technologies, demonstrated in Village Farms Fresh greenhouses, showcase how controlled environment agriculture can produce more food on less land while using fewer natural resources, such as water, compared to traditional farming methods. By exposing students to these innovations, the program empowers them to become environmental stewards and advocates for sustainable living.
Elvira Hermosillo, Program Manager for BBCA, highlighted the impact of these educational tours: “The Flex Farm teaches students innovative technologies while inspiring them to grow their own food. Visiting the Village Farms Fresh Greenhouse has helped students connect what they’re doing in the classroom to the world around them. The people at Village Farms Fresh were extremely welcoming. We’re thankful for this opportunity to mold and expand the minds of our youth.”
During their visits, students were particularly fascinated by the greenhouse’s scale and operations, including the logistics of long train-like carts transporting tomato boxes and the sight of bees actively pollinating plants. These observations helped students appreciate the interconnectedness of ecosystems and agriculture, enhancing their understanding of food origins and the journey from farm to table.
Abigail Lange, Facility Manager at Marfa for Village Farms Fresh, shared her joy in seeing the students’ reactions: “Seeing the children’s faces light up when they saw the size and productivity of our greenhouses, our bumblebee pollination, and our staff doing the hard work of tending the crop was a joy. BBCA and Village Farms are forming lifelong connections for these students as they see the principles they’re learning in the classroom reflected on an industrial scale in the business world. We’re proud to be a part of this unique program.”
Educating young minds about sustainable agriculture is pivotal in shaping a brighter future. By instilling a passion for environmental stewardship early on, they empower the next generation to make informed choices that positively impact our planet. The greenhouse tours at Village Farms Fresh are not just educational experiences; they are opportunities to inspire curiosity, foster responsibility, and cultivate a deep-seated respect for natural resources.
Through collaborative efforts with BBCA and the enthusiasm of local educators and students, Village Farms Fresh is proud to sow the seeds of knowledge and inspiration. Together, they are cultivating a generation of leaders who are passionate about healthy eating and committed to preserving the environment for future generations.
Village Farms Fresh, a subsidiary of Village Farms International, Inc., is one of the largest growers, marketers, and distributors of premium-quality, greenhouse-grown fruits and vegetables in North America. The company’s farmers harvest produce daily from environmentally friendly, soil-less, glass greenhouses, ensuring high food safety standards. Village Farms Fresh is guided by sustainability principles, growing food year-round that is healthy for people and the planet. For more information, visit villagefarmsfresh.com.
