When you ask a first grader where pizza comes from, they might say “the delivery guy” or “the grocery store.” But in Stephanie Westhafer’s first-grade classroom at West Jackson Elementary School, students are about to discover the real journey from farm to pizza box, thanks to a $500 grant from HireSmart Cares.

Westhafer’s class is embarking on an innovative project that will transform their understanding of agriculture through something every kid loves — pizza. The “Plant-a-Pizza” project will take students on a hands-on food production journey, connecting them with local farmers and business owners while they grow their own pizza ingredients.

“Instead of just giving them information, we want them to understand the relevance of what they’re learning,” said Westhafer, whose classroom already maintains a year-long seasonal garden as part of West Jackson’s STEAM-certified curriculum. “This project helps students see the direct connection between farming and the food they eat every day.”

The pizza garden project builds on the class’s existing agricultural initiatives, including their participation in the American Dairy Association’s “Adopt-a-Calf” program. The class’s adopted dairy calf, Gouda, has already helped students understand dairy farming and cheese production — knowledge that will come in handy when they learn about mozzarella for their pizzas.

With the HireSmart Cares grant, students will plant tomatoes, basil, peppers, and onions in raised garden beds. But this isn’t just about growing vegetables. The project weaves together literature, science, math, and community engagement. Students will read “The Little Red Hen Makes a Pizza,” connecting the story to real-world food production and chart the origins of pizza ingredients while learning about local farming.

“Jackson County is becoming less rural,” said Westhafer. “We’re seeing more warehouses, increased traffic, and pollution that impacts local farms. It’s crucial for students to understand agriculture’s importance to Georgia’s economy and their own communities.”

The project will bring the local food community into the classroom. A nearby pizza restaurant owner will visit to discuss ingredient sourcing, and a local farmer will explain how they grow the food that ends up on our plates. These connections help students understand that agriculture isn’t just about large farms. Even small gardens can provide healthy food.

The grant money will be spent entirely within the local community, supporting area businesses while providing essential supplies for the project.

Mathematics comes alive as students measure garden plots, track plant growth, and calculate quantities for pizza making.

“It’s hard to show kids sometimes why math is important,” said Westhafer. “But when they’re using it to plan and maintain their garden, they see its real-world value.”

The class also makes full use of their school’s greenhouse, where students learn about light and temperature regulation through its translucent panels. This hands-on learning environment connects directly to their lessons about light and how greenhouses help create optimal growing conditions for plants.

The project culminates in a “We-Planted-a-Pizza” party, where students will use their harvested ingredients to make pizzas, demonstrating their understanding of the farm-to-table process.

But the learning doesn’t stop there. Students will become agricultural advocates, creating posters, videos, and presentations to encourage others to start their own pizza gardens.

“Even if we don’t have huge farms, you can have your own personal garden and still provide healthy food,” said Westhafer. “We want students to share this message with their families and community.”

The project also teaches valuable life lessons about problem-solving and adaptation. Westhafer intentionally introduces unexpected challenges to help students develop critical thinking skills.

“I always like to throw curve balls, because life has curve balls,” she said. “When something doesn’t go as planned, students learn to ask, ‘How can I fix this? What can I use instead?'”

This approach aligns perfectly with HireSmart Cares’ mission of equipping the next generation with practical skills and knowledge. The nonprofit organization, known for supporting agricultural education and workforce development initiatives, sees the pizza garden project as an innovative way to nurture agricultural literacy from an early age.

Through projects like these, students begin to understand that agriculture offers diverse career opportunities beyond farming.

“It’s not just about the learning,” said Westhafer. “But also about what students will do with that learning in their lives.”

As spring approaches and seeds are planted, these first graders learn that pizza doesn’t just come from a box — it starts with farmers, soil, seeds, and sun.

If you have an idea how HireSmart Cares can support other agricultural education initiatives like the “Plant-a-Pizza” project, contact Info@HireSmartCares.org.