First-grade students at West Jackson Elementary School are using vegetables from their school garden for nutritious meals with the help of a $1,170 grant from HireSmart Cares to fund the creation of a mobile kitchen cart.

The grant enables teacher Stephanie Westhafer to build “The Sprout & Spoon Cart,” a portable cooking station that allows her 21 first-grade students to prepare and enjoy fresh ingredients they’ve grown themselves, including tomatoes, onions, peppers, spinach, herbs, and other produce from the school’s expanded garden. 

“Students will connect what they grow to meaningful food experiences,” said Westhafer. “Students grow, harvest, and prepare food, experiencing the entire food cycle while connecting agriculture to everyday life skills and workforce readiness.” 

The project is a year-long, project-based learning initiative where students grow food for their school and community, integrating lessons from National Agriculture in the Classroom, Georgia Agriculture in the Classroom, and Pilot Light Food Education programs. 

Beyond Westhafer’s classroom, the cart will benefit approximately 250 additional students through collaborations with other grade levels and special events including chef visits and family cooking workshops.

“When we do something, we’ll invite one class each time to come into it with us,” she said.  

Students will use the cart at least twice monthly for cooking experiences with garden produce, with Westhafer planning to host three family and community cooking events during the school year.

“By the end of the year, at least 90% of students will be able to describe the process from seed to table and identify one way agriculture connects to their lives,” said Westhafer. 

The Sprout & Spoon Cart represents an innovative approach to elementary education that combines hands-on learning with real-world skill development. 

Students will document their learning through journals and digital reflections, highlighting connections between gardening, cooking, and essential life skills. 

The project also emphasizes career connections, helping students see potential pathways in agriculture, culinary arts, and food systems while strengthening partnerships between the school and local community members. 

HireSmart Cares, a Madison County-based nonprofit organization, focuses on workforce development initiatives that help youth develop skills for careers in agriculture and trades. The organization’s mission centers on “equipping the next generation” for successful careers without taking on college debt. 

Co-founded by Mark and Anne Lackey, HireSmart Cares has invested in various agricultural education programs across North Georgia, recognizing agriculture as Georgia’s number one industry. The organization emphasizes the importance of connecting students to farming careers, inspired by the message “No Farms, No Food.” 

Educators seeking support for innovative projects to help students become more job ready, can apply for grants at https://hiresmartcares.org/ideas-application/