The initiative brings together a coalition of partners, including Growums, the Little Green Thumb Foundation, and the America The Beautiful Foundation’s GROW program. By distributing kits to school groups visiting the historic Martinsburg Roundhouse and the children’s museum, organizers aim to move beyond traditional exhibits, offering children a tangible connection to the agricultural process.
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Berkeley County Students Launch STEM Garden Initiative
Five hundred students in Berkeley County will soon trade classroom theory for soil and seeds. A new collaboration between the Martinsburg Roundhouse and For The Kids, by George Children’s Museum is distributing specialized garden kits designed to teach local youth about nutrition, environmental stewardship, and the science of food production.
Matt Umstead, board chair of the Berkeley County Roundhouse Authority, noted that the program aims to transform the historic landmark into a community hub for active learning. For the families involved, the project provides more than just educational value; organizers estimate that each kit could produce approximately $180 worth of home-grown food. This economic impact, paired with the hands-on nature of the curriculum, is intended to foster long-term self-sufficiency and confidence in participants, according to Growums CEO Jim Zanotti. As the pilot program rolls out this summer, the coalition plans to use the local distribution model to demonstrate how national support can effectively bolster community-based STEM education.
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