ENCINITAS — Sixth graders in the Encinitas Union School District have been putting their business skills to the test at the district’s Farm Lab, where students create their own organic salad dressing from scratch along with an accompanying business pitch in the annual “Salad Wars” competition.
Each year during this five-day entrepreneurial unit, students dive into the world of regenerative agriculture while developing a salad dressing company. At the end of the week, each class presents its sales pitch to a panel of judges, complete with a dressing tasting, an explanation of the design process and a catchy parody to promote their product.
DREAM BIG
While only one team takes home the golden fork trophy, all students walk away with new communication, collaboration and entrepreneurial skills.
“Entrepreneurial DREAMS – Design, Research, Engineering, Art, Math and Science – is a competency-based learning week that sixth graders and their teachers look forward to and love,” said Farm Lab Administrator Julie Burton. “Through the creation of organic salad dressing companies, students experience the power of intentional collaborations that foster creativity and communication skills, while allowing them to share their work in a real-world context.”
According to Burton, learning about regenerative agriculture deepens students’ understanding of sustainable farming practices, environmental stewardship and the connection between soil health and food quality.
“Healthy kids, healthy planet,” Burton said.
THE BUSINESS SIDE
As a team, students take on seven key roles throughout the week: chefs, MCs, event organizers, promotion teams, design specialists, flavor experts and copywriters. Together, they brainstorm company names and themes, design dressing prototypes, experiment with flavor profiles, and research the nutritional value of their final products.
Students then develop a comprehensive business plan, craft eye-catching logos, write company mission statements, create promotional songs and choreography, and harvest fresh lettuce from the farm to present to the judges.
While a portion of the ingredients used to create the dressings are grown at Farm Lab, local grocer Jimbo’s donated all other necessary ingredients.
Wars. Courtesy photo
THE SCIENCE BEHIND IT
Soil science and the importance of regenerative farming are also at the forefront of Salad Wars.
Students explore the world of soil health by testing various types of soil and learn about its vital role in biodiversity, water retention and nutrient cycling. These lessons come to life during a tour of Farm Lab’s certified organic production farm, where students observe regenerative farming practices in action.
Students also learn how soil health affects the nutritional value of food and how the farm contributes to carbon sequestration and combating climate change.
Farm Lab’s grade six programming, including Salad Wars, is currently highlighted in Dr. Katie Martin’s book “Evolving Education: Shifting to a Learner-Centered Paradigm” as a model of best practices in learner-centered instruction.
For more information about Farm Lab’s educational programs, please visit farmlab.eusd.net.
