Through the Ag in the Classroom grant program, offered by the ND FFA Foundation in partnership with the North Dakota Department of Agriculture, educators across the state are helping young learners connect with agriculture in meaningful ways. In Ransom County, the “Garden Fun” project planted more than just seeds—it planted curiosity, responsibility, and a newfound appreciation for where food comes from.
Program: Ransom County Extension
Facilitator: Bryan Zimprich, Ransom County Extension
Impact: 310 students + 25 community members
Purpose:
To teach K-4 students the basics of gardening and help them connect food production with their own actions by planting fruits and vegetables they can grow at home.
Objectives:
- Educate students on what plants need to grow (sunlight, water, nutrients, space).
- Encourage families to start their own gardens.
- Teach the importance of soil health, pollinators, and proper planting techniques.
- Give students ownership over their food by planting seeds they take home.
- Reinforce the role of North Dakota farmers in producing food.
Each lesson in the Garden Fun program is tailored to a specific grade level and designed to build knowledge year after year. Through storytelling, fun activities, and planting, students learn vital concepts like the difference between soil and dirt, which plant parts we eat, why pollinators matter, and how farming connects to the food on their plate. After the lesson, each student plants a variety of adaptable fruits or vegetables to take home—perfect for gardens or containers.
The results of this program extend beyond the classroom. Many families have started their own gardens because of their child’s excitement, and students have proudly shared extra produce with neighbors and food pantries. While not every plant thrives (thanks to pets, wind, or curious siblings), students remain enthusiastic and eager to try again.
The program also reached the broader community when Fort Ransom Public School opened its classroom sessions to parents and grandparents, allowing them to join the fun and learn alongside students. At county fairs, students often bring their garden-grown projects to show and tell stories about what they learned.
By giving students the tools—and seeds—to grow their own food, Garden Fun is helping cultivate lifelong learners and future agricultural advocates.
