{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Kids come alive in a garden, with Land to Learn\u2019s Nicole Porto","description":"There\u2019s a growing movement to bring more outdoor learning to public schools. This month, we profile Land to Learn, a non-profit organization that provides hands-on, garden-based learning to elementary students and teens throughout the Hudson Valley.  Executive Director Nicole Porto previously worked as a farmer and has dedicated her career to building sustainable and just food systems. In our interview, Nicole describes how Land to Learn\u2019s gardener-teachers work with kids of varying ages to instill knowledge of where their food comes from and advance values of caring for the Earth. There\u2019s also the unexpected thrill of watching the seeds they planted \u2014 strawberries, tomatoes, arugula \u2014 grow before their eyes.  \u201cOne of my favorite things to watch people get excited about is when a little yellow flower starts to grow a tiny, baby, spiky cucumber,\u201d Nicole says.  This episode focuses on Land to Learn\u2019s SproutEd program for elementary schools in Beacon, Newburgh and Kingston. Through SproutEd, gardener-teachers build school food gardens and teach monthly lessons that combine knowledge of plants, nutrition, cooking, and environmental stewardship. Separately, Land to Learn also offers employment and internship opportunities for teens and college-aged kids.  Find more information on Land to Learn at Landtolearn.org.    ","author_name":"Beaconites!","author_url":"http:\/\/beaconites.libsyn.com\/website","html":"