Youth Agricultural Education
The mission of Field of Hope is to inspire excitement about the agricultural industry in Ugandan students, as well as to develop a wider and deeper knowledge of the proper and modern technologies within the industry. We hope to equip the next generation of agriculturists in developing countries with the skills and abilities to successfully operate their agricultural enterprises as businesses whereby they can provide for their future families.
Student Demonstration Gardens
The Student Demonstration Gardens are an initiative that demonstrates modern agricultural practices to students in order to teach them the proper operation of drip irrigation systems as well as proper agronomic care. It is our hope that they will someday use this knowledge within their own gardens and pass on this information to local farmers. These gardens also serve as an opportunity for children’s homes to decrease their food costs by growing the children’s food on their compound, with the chance to sell surplus for extra income – demonstrating a successful farming business to their students.
Teacher Guide Development and Teacher Training
Alongside our training development partner, Vivayic, Field of Hope has been working to develop all-inclusive and interactive teacher’s guides for secondary agricultural education that deal with all phases and forms of agriculture. As most education practices in Uganda and other developing countries rely on rote memorization, our guides meet the country standards and includes hands-on and project-based learning for students. The goal of these guides is to inspire and excite students about agriculture as an industry and a career and to demonstrate the best practices of successful agricultural businesses.
Not only are we investing in students through this initiative, but we are also working to professionally and personally develop the teachers who teach them. Teachers receive these guides at no cost and are invited to two trainings each year that allow them to learn innovative teaching practices, practice these hands-on methods, and grow their professional network. What started with three teachers in northern Uganda has grown to include over 150 teachers all across the country in a matter of three years. We look forward to more growth!
Inspiring Students in Agriculture Grant
In 2017, Field of Hope established the Inspiring Students in Agriculture Grant to support teachers focused on preparing youth for agricultural related futures and to inspire students by enhancing their learning experiences through various agricultural related projects, demonstrations, and field trips. These grants supplement our teacher’s guides and garden initiatives by growing students’ familiarity with the entire industry, inside and outside of the classroom.
Donate to Youth Agricultural Education
Donations to our Youth Agricultural Education pillar go towards supplying each teacher with free guidebooks. These funds also go towards our Inspiring Students grants, aimed at creating projects that make the lesson come alive. Funds also go towards follow-up visits to the schools, where we can work with the administrators, evaluate the teachers and help them improve, and give guest lectures to the students to further motivate and inspire them.
BLESSING CONVERSION
$50 = One training for one teacher
$50 = One follow-up visit for one school
$125 = One level of teacher’s guide for a teacher
$500 = Four levels of teacher’s guides for teachers
$1,000 = One ISA Grant for one school