The arizona sustainability alliance (azsa) will utilize USDA secondary education, two-year postsecondary education, and agriculture in the k-12 classroom challenge (speca) grant fundsto expand and…

The arizona sustainability alliance (azsa) will utilize USDA secondary education, two-year postsecondary education, and agriculture in the k-12 classroom challenge (speca) grant fundsto expand and advance the SOW IT forward: vertical garden (sfvg) program. Specifically, the azsa will work with the alhambra elementary school district (aesd) to develop a vertical farm (consisting of three colocated indoor, vertical gardens) at six schools throughout the district. Additionally, a farmers market program will be established at each participating school in the district. This will bring a total of 18 gardens and six new farmers markets to a school district in a largely low income and low food access region of phoenix, arizona. The following outlines are goals to be achieved with USDA funding:increase local food production throughout the aesd; enhance the quality of instruction regarding growing, eating, and selling healthy foodimprove stem education and engagement focused around healthy foodsmitigate food deserts by improving food access among the aesd community through on-campus farmers markets; anddevelop a vertical farm to market toolkit based on aesd experiences to serve as a resource guide for school farm to market programs.attainment of these objectives will create valuable 'farmpreneur' education for k-8 students involved in growing and selling food impacting an estimated 5,000 students within the district. Moreover, the program will improve and enhance access to fresh, healthy produce for the community at large.to support our educational and research pursuits throughout the program we will partner with the arizona state university quest for kids service learning program and the tiger mountain foundation.