The Growing Connection and Earth Box Solution

Collective Roots has found a great solution to certain situations where planting gardens in the ground may not be safe or feasible for a variety of reasons. Another advantage is the ability to bring the garden into the classroom, expanding the reach of garden based learning to many more students. The solution is called an “EarthBox” and it was brought to us by an amazing project called The Growing Connection.

The EarthBox container is 29 inches long, 13.5 inches wide and 11 inches in height. The EarthBox is a self contained gardening system is in use around the world, and offers a relatively maintenance-free, gradient-gardening system more than doubles the yield of a conventional garden–with half the fertilizer (we use organic only), 40 percent of the water and very little effort. It's also portable, reusable, UV protected and recyclable. This allows us to carry our gardens into classrooms, on a year round basis.

What is the EarthBox and why does it work?

The EarthBox solution is earth-friendly and with its reduced need for water and nutrients may be valuable in the ongoing struggle against global warming and climate change. According to Blake Whisenant, EarthBox inventor, its success lies in its unique approach to gardening. “The fertilizer remains on top of the soil and the water comes from the bottom,” he says. “While this may seem unusual, our scientific research proves that The EarthBox system provides the best possible growing environment for plants, and yet it's so simple to use. Over the past 80 years, my family has grown literally tons of vegetables on our family farm. Our produce is shipped across the nation and around the world. We've made many scientific breakthroughs in growing technology during that time, but none compare to the breakthrough I've made with the EarthBox: higher yields, minimum maintenance, and gardening that is simple and friendly to our environment.”

EarthBox facilitates the movement of nutrients from areas of high concentration to areas of low concentration. This patented gradient technology enables the roots to absorb optimal amounts of nutrients at any given time. Likewise, the EarthBox is designed to enable the plants to consume only what they need to stay healthy–while conserving water and preventing over-watering, under-watering and fertilizer dilution.

The EarthBox is a growing system for a world confronted with the ever-increasing realization of how damaging global warming may be. The EarthBox's plastic cover drastically reduces the water evaporation rate and returns condensed water vapor to the potting mix,” As the plants draw water from the reservoir, they consume only what they need to stay healthy. Plants cannot be over-watered or under-watered if the reservoir is kept full. The plastic cover also prevents fertilizer from being diluted or washed away by rain.”

Educators at a growing number of schools use the EarthBox to promote garden based learning in classroom and as an extended learning aid. Students who grow vegetables in the easy-to-maintain EarthBox garden participate in an intimate relationship with nature that ignites their interest in the natural world. This interest facilitates learning in the classroom, where science teachers use the EarthBox and its accompanying curriculum to teach lessons that excite students and engage them in hands-on activities.

Additionally, the EarthBox is a vital component of The Growing Connection program, sponsored by the American Horticultural Society and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.

Schoolchildren in the U.S. and Ghana, Mexico and Nicaragua grow plants from seeds in EarthBoxes. Linked by the Internet, the students compare results and interact with scientists. They learn important lessons about the sources of their food and how to improve their nutrition. Youth in alternative educational settings use the EarthBox to grow crops for selling in farmers' markets or processing into salsa and sauces. The EarthBox curriculum can be used inside the classroom, introducing students to planting, nurturing, harvesting, and selling food, as well as developing critical thinking skills through experimentation. EarthBoxes are also being used in family and senior centers. Activity directors in senior centers find that easy-to-use EarthBoxes provide seniors a enjoyable gardening activity within easy reach. School and club programs engage young people in joining with senior citizens in the process of getting back to nature and improving their eating habits.

National and International Organizations Support The EarthBox Through The Growing Connection

The American Horticultural Society (AHS) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) believe children are the future and connecting them to the importance of food plants is critical to their life. The Growing Connection engages children in the science of growing food, the experience of sharing their culture and experiments using modern information technology, and offers hope by introducing innovative solutions to health and nutrition issues in the U.S. and around the world.

The Growing Connection program was developed for middle school students and is supported by the AHS, FAO, and the United States Committee for FAO along with a progressive coalition of private and public sector partners. Currently, students in the U.S., Ghana, and Mexico grow food plants using a uniform sustainable growing system with the help of teachers, extension workers, and community volunteers.

How does the Growing Connection program work?

Students become directly engaged in the fight against hunger and obesity by growing and eating fresh vegetables, and discussing the food growing process and personal impact with their peers in other countries.

Participating schools receive EarthBox kits which are used as the growing system for The Growing Connection program, along with planting instructions and a teacher activity guide. Teacher training workshops introduce the essential components of this education program—plant science, information and communications technology, and cross-cultural communication.

Using the Internet, students communicate with partner schools to exchange questions, share stories and compare scientific data. The Web site http://www.thegrowingconnection.org helps educators and student scientists explore the world one garden at a time.

What Does an EarthBox Kit Consist of?

The Growing Connection School Kit contains everything you need to grow delicious, healthy vegetables: 30 seed packets, a bag of potting soil, fertilizer and dolomite, planting instructions, and an easy-to-use EarthBox container.

Why an EarthBox?

One of the key elements to the success of The Growing Connection program was finding a growing unit that would allow experiments to be conducted in a scientifically consistent framework worldwide. The EarthBox—developed through a unique partnership with a scientist, a farmer, and a plastics manufacturer—was chosen because it is a innovative, sustainably designed planter that can be used to grow plants successfully almost anywhere with minimal input of water and fertilizer. In addition, the EarthBox is self-contained, portable, and simple to use.

For more information, visit the EarthBox Web site at http://www.earthbox.com.

What are the Benefits of this Program?

For Teachers

EarthBox activities enable students to meet various learning standards through hands-on individual and collaborative activities that effectively integrate technology, data collection devices, graphing calculators in science and math explorations, and into the entire curriculum.

• Have the opportunity to work directly with scientists and leaders in the horticultural field.
• Have the opportunity to participate in constructivist, collaborative learning.
• Communicate with a partner teacher in another country, allowing for meaningful cultural and educational exchange.
• Be a part of a worldwide effort to reduce hunger and obesity in the world’s children.

For Students

EarthBox activities provide an opportunity to work on exciting scientific experiments related to horticulture, food, and nutrition.

• Have the opportunity to communicate nationally and internationally with other students through a multitude of Internet connections.
• Understand the important connection between people and plants.
• Work directly with scientists to explore and solve problems.
• Become healthier children by making informed choices about food.

For Schools

Earth Boxes, seeds, and supplies are available as self-contained growing boxes. Eathboxes can be looked at from various perspectives. The Growing Connection Regional Research and Education Centers provide regular teacher development opportunities.

Gardens beautify school grounds and help build community.

How to Apply?

Middle schools and community youth groups interested in participating in The Growing Connection project should contact Amy McMillen, Program Coordinator at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) at 1-800-252-0455 or info@thegrowingconnection.org for more information or to request an application.

7931 East Boulevard Drive - Alexandria VA 22308
(V) 703.768.5700 - Toll Free: 1.800.777.7931
(F) 703.768.8700 - Publications Fax: 703.768.7533

Here is a video about the EarthBox is being used on a commercial scale: