Teaching about economics in agriculture is a way to have students understand the history of  the foods they eat and the industries that surround foods.  It's easy for students to think that the foods they eat were grown in the U.S., even originated here.  Discussing food-related industries and histories adds another layer to understanding the food webs we have come to rely on.

• Have student research the history of the foods you plant in the garden and preparing a report or poster of their findings.  How did they get here?  Where are they grown now and how do they get here?  What industries and businesses are connected to the food?  (This is something the classroom teachers does outside of garden class.)

• We use foods like corn and sunflowers to teach grade appropriate economic terms and to discuss the many industries that are affected in the production of a food and non-food products that have been invented from a food.

• Discuss the resources needed to have a school garden program.

• Discuss opportunity costs in conventional or organic gardening or growing your own food.