Mobile Agriculture Classroom Visits DMC Elementary

The Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation's Seed Survivor Mobile Classroom visited Des Moines Christian School third and fourth graders March 27.  Seed Survivor is a free curriculum-based program that teaches elementary children about plants and the importance of agriculture. Students experienced hands-on lessons about growing healthy plants, multimedia and virtual reality games, a sunflower seed planting station, interactive displays, and much more.

Des Moines Christian School Teacher Rhonda Osborn applied for this opportunity and says, “Growing up in a small rural community instilled in me a love for farming. I want our students to develop a passion for agriculture, and understand the important role agriculture plays in our daily lives, especially in Iowa! I can see our 3rd and 4th grade students walking away from their experience saying, ‘Wow! Agriculture is so fun!’ I want them to have a basic knowledge of growing and caring for plants, how agriculture affects them daily, and what careers are available in the ag industry.”

This year marks the first time the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation is bringing the Seed Survivor Mobile Classroom to schools across Iowa. Iowa is just one of three states offering this exciting program in 2025. The mobile classroom is visiting 32 schools over a 4 week time period in 14 counties across Iowa.

“We are so excited for the Seed Survivor Mobile Classroom to come to Iowa,” says Sidney Riemenschneider, Iowa Agriculture Literacy Education Program Coordinator. “Our hope is to get children interested in agriculture, build their confidence in growing healthy plants, and understand where their food comes from.”