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Marshall Joy was only with the Molokaʻi Farm to School program for a short while, but he made the most of his time. His job as program coordinator was to connect Hawaiʻi keiki with school gardening experiences and connect young keiki to local food, in hopes to grow the next generation of local food consumers.

The coordinator position also means working closely with Maunaloa Elementary to establish their own school garden, which in the future will contribute to food that can be utilized in school meals, and most immediately creates learning opportunities outside of the classroom for haumana. 

“Not only can school gardens teach our students science and math, gardens give them an opportunity to get outside, connect with nature and engage with one another,” says Monica Esquivel of the Dept. of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences. “Even further along, when they see something they have taken care of grow and provide nutrition for their community, they can gain a sense of pride in self and place.”

Watch the Molokaʻi Farm to School program in action.