The Diversity of Agriculture Project will expose youth to agriculture and careers in agriculture through a variety of lenses including technology, science, business, culture, and arts in addition to hands-on learning and agriculture practice. The goal is to entice Maui County youth to pursue farming and agriculture careers to sustain agriculture in Hawaii.
Curriculum
- 9 Sections
- 9 Lessons
- 10 Weeks
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- Animal ScienceThe animal science unit utilizes kits that shows the anatomy of an animal and its corresponding wholesale and retail meat cuts. Discussion of meat cuts includes information on purchasing and cooking in addition to nutritional value. The program looks at beef and swine meat as well as a discussion of grazing and ranching practices.1
- Biotechnology1
- Career PathwayActivities include an agriculture careers mixer where students share information on different careers in agriculture. Additional information includes details on pathways available on Maui and in Hawai‘i for pursuing an agriculture career.1
- EthnobotanyThis section includes an overview of native Hawaiian plants and the use of plants by ancient Hawaiians.1
- Food ScienceFor the food science activity students are given different substances to analyze using a food science kit. Discussion focuses on chemically identifying food, pH values, and the components that impact food storage and safe eating.1
- Landscape DesignThe landscape design project teaches students about the concepts of landscape design, including both the artistic and scientific components.1
- Plant ScienceStudents dissect flowers and identify each of the reproductive parts. The presentation discusses the pollination process and an activity to build their own hand-pollinators.1
- Soil ScienceAs part of the soil science activities students learn about saturation, run-off, and field-capacity along with other concepts about soil before creating their own soil layers. The presentation on sustainability focuses on soil nutrients. Students can look up the soil specifications in different areas around Hawaiʻi.1
- Technology in AgricultureThe focus for the technology program is a discussion and demonstration of some of the newest technologies being used to help agriculture, including precision agriculture. Students also use a Brix meter to measure the sugar content of different crops. This process is used for monitoring crops to recognize when they are best ready for harvest.1
