Learning with hands in the soil instead of with worksheets at a 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 story of the social enterprise began with its founder Christoph Schmitz. Unlike his daughter, he grew up on a farm. He knows the journey from seed to harvest to plate. However, his daughter and thousands of other children do not know this path. In his opinion, a single experience day on a farm is not enough. Instead of bringing children to the field, Acker e.V. brings the field to the children.
The first attempt was made by Christoph Schmitz in 2013 with his sister, who is a teacher. Sara Reichau, spokesperson for press, PR, and politics at Acker e.V., explains: At the pilot school, the project worked so well that it had to grow. It is not quite there yet. The goal is for every school to have its own field and to permanently integrate the Vegetable Academy program into their daily 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 profound 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, or the cultivation of fruits and vegetables on the school’s own field, demonstrably increases interest in food and appreciation for it. The 200 employees and nearly 400 volunteer field coaches support educators in implementation. Teachers and students plant, weed, water, and harvest. You learn by doing, just like swimming, explains Sara Reichau.
