A fundamental way we can help children learn an appreciation and love of their environment is to teach them where their food comes from. Too many children today are so removed from the reality of what they are actually eating, and how that is related to the earth. There are so many ways to help children learn in a fun way about our food system. First, you could visit a local farm. Many do tours and even those that do not do “official” tours are happy to talk to children about what and how they grow/raise plants and animals. Second, visiting a farmer’s market helps children make the connection between the fruits and vegetables on the tables and the farmers that grew them. Striking up a conversation with a vendor about the specific vegetables can teach your child and you something too! Third, you can plant your own garden – whether this means just a few herbs on a sunny window ledge or a larger garden plot, the idea is the same – teaching your child about growing a food that you later use to cook and eat. (Another side benefit – children are much more likely to eat their vegetables if they grew them, watered them, and picked them themselves!) Lastly, joining a “CSA” (community supported agriculture) where one can buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer via (usually) a box of vegetables per week is a great way for children to see where food is grown. We love our CSA, Valley End Farm (www.valleyendfarm.com) in Santa Rosa, which also offers eggs. My son loves going every week to pick up our box of veggies and to say Hi to the chickens that scurry about.