Sparking Moments That Matter: Hastings Middle School Farmers Market

What started as an idea at a workshop has blossomed into one of the most engaging hands-on learning experiences at Hastings Middle School.

Nearly two years ago, Elizabeth Blank, a sixth-grade science teacher at Hastings, attended an Ohio State University Extension workshop where the concept of creating a school farmers market was introduced. When she brought the idea back to her students, their excitement was immediate.

“They would not let it go,” Blank said. “They wanted to be a part of a farmers market, be able to use our Hastings garden and build and sell things to the community, and give back to the garden and future farmers markets.”

In its second year, the Hastings Farmers Market grew into a schoolwide experience involving nearly 300 students across sixth, seventh and eighth grades. The market gives students the opportunity to develop products, manage budgets, collaborate with classmates and connect classroom learning to real-world experiences.

For sixth grader Rosie S., the experience has been all about teamwork and creativity.

“Basically what we do is we get into a group and then we choose something to work on,” she said. “My group is doing plants, and we’re growing seedlings and stuff.”

Seeing those seedlings thrive has been especially rewarding. “I’m proud of our plants because they’re doing really good,” Rosie said.

Other students explored different interests and entrepreneurial ideas. Sean E. decided to create and sell 3D-printed toys and fidgets after thinking carefully about what customers might enjoy.

“We choose what we want to sell — something that we think will sell well and we would have fun making,” Sean explained.

Behind the scenes, students like JT B. helped organize and manage the logistics that kept the market running smoothly.

“I am part of the planning team,” JT said. “We do all the behind-the-scenes work — all the finance, how much we need to spend on each group and where everything is going to be.”

Blank says the project gives students the opportunity to apply skills they’ve already learned in authentic and meaningful ways.

“They’re communicating, they’re working in groups, they have to make decisions, they have to collaborate,” Blank said. “Skills that they’ve already learned in school they’re now applying to real-world scenarios, so it’s pretty fun to watch.”

Most importantly, students are developing confidence and pride in what they create.

“They’re proud of what they’ve done,” Blank said. “They’re proud of what they produced.”

As the Farmers Market continues to grow, Blank hopes the experience will continue opening doors for students to discover new passions and possibilities for their future.

“I hope to continue to inspire kids to new roles they haven’t even thought of for their future,” she said, “and obviously to see the Farmers Market grow.”