COLLARDZ 4 KIDZ

Discovering Biodiversity Through Seed Breeding

Through the COLLARDZ 4 KIDZ project youth learn the basics of seed breeding by starting with the nutrient dense green vegetable crop known as collard greens. Considered by many to be a culturally meaningful vegetable, collards are often served at holiday meals during the fall and winter months.

The COLLARDZ 4 KIDZ project starts at the beginning of the school year with the planting of the collard seeds. In May or June the youth will harvest and save seeds from the collard of their choice. To demonstrate the amazing biodiversity that exists in this amazing crop, your packet includes six varieties of heirloom collards.

Join the Project

As a COLLARDZ 4 KIDZ project participant, you will receive:

Lesson Plans,
6 Varieties of Collard Seeds
The Heirloom Collard Seed-Saving Guide,
COLLARDS, an 84 page full color booklet.
An 11” x 17” COLLARDZ 4 KIDZ Poster,
Access to Seed Links for uploading your growing data, and
Online gatherings with other project participants

Learn More

RESOURCES FOR TEACHING YOUTH ABOUT FARMING & GARDENING

THE COLLARD ZINE

COLLARDS is a beautiful collection of collard focused art, essays, poetry and recipes. 84 pages. Softcover. Color photographs and illustrations.

COLLARDZ 4 KIDZ POSTER

Display this colorful 11 x 17 poster so your students can see the diversity of collards.

BIG DADDY COLLARD GREENS BOOK

With the help of their parents, and their new neighbors, Ivie and Jace create a collard patch on lvie's multi-generational family farm. The children received heirloom collard seeds from Big Daddy.

FERN and GINGER ON THE FARM

FERN and GINGER: Dandelions and Watermelons

Great news! Fern and Ginger’s family purchased a farm! Farmer Sass and his son Clay taught the family about their farm operation and helped them prepare for their own farming adventure. Learn about winter sowing, spring planting, harvesting crops, and saving seeds. Meet the cows and a new family member.

FERN and GINGER: Dandelions and Watermelons

Fern and Ginger are siblings who loved being outdoors. Spend the day with them while they learn about foraging from Grandma Lil and farming from Mr. Sass. Read about edible wild plants, farm vegetables, and seeds. One day, you could become a forager and farmer too! This book includes foraging and gardening tips and wonderful harvest recipes.

GINGER: Sowing and Growing

FERN and GINGER: Dandelions and Watermelons

Ginger grows sunflowers and garden vegetables with the help of her family. She also grows collards on the farm guided by Farmer Sass. Read about setting up plots, seeds, plant growth, bugs, bees, and a wonderful harvest meal. Included in the book are garden activities for children. Reading Level: Ages 4 - 8 Softcover.