Learning with hands in the soil instead of with worksheets at the table - this is what Acker e.V. implements at more than 2000 learning locations such as schools, universities, companies, and care facilities across Germany. The adventure of the social enterprise began with founder Christoph Schmitz. Unlike his daughter, he grew up on a farm. He knows the process from seed to harvest and onto the plate. However, his daughter and thousands of other children do not. He believes that just one experience day on a farm is not enough. Instead of bringing the children to the field, the field comes to the children.
The first attempt was made by founder Christoph in 2013 with his sister, who is a teacher. Sara Reichau, spokesperson for press, PR, and politics at Acker e.V., explains that it worked so well at the pilot school that it had to grow larger. It is not there yet, but the goal is for every school to have a field and to sustainably integrate the vegetable academy program into everyday school life. After several years of work, it is clear that "students work together, support each other, improve their relationships, and it is so simple. It is a different way of learning that has such a significant impact on the children and makes it so much easier to make our society sustainable," says Sara Reichau.
Key societal issues that Acker e.V. addresses include unhealthy eating habits, lack of physical activity among children and adolescents, and food waste. Farming, that is, the cultivation of fruits and vegetables on the school’s own field, demonstrably increases interest and appreciation for food. With 200 employees and nearly 400 volunteer Acker coaches, educators are supported in the implementation. Teachers and students plant, weed, water, and harvest. Learning by doing - just like swimming, says Sara Reichau.
