FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
West Jackson Elementary receives $500 HireSmart Cares grant to teach students where food really comes from
West Jackson, GA., (2025) — First graders at West Jackson Elementary School are digging into agriculture this spring with a hands-on project that connects classroom learning to something every student loves—pizza.
Funded by a $500 grant from HireSmart Cares, the “Plant-a-Pizza” project is turning Stephanie Westhafer’s first-grade classroom into a hub for agricultural discovery. The initiative aims to teach students about the origins of their food through experiential learning, local partnerships, and a student-grown pizza garden.
“Instead of just giving them information, we want them to understand the relevance of what they’re learning,” said Westhafer, who leads the class through the school’s STEAM-certified curriculum. “This project helps students see the direct connection between farming and the food they eat every day.”
Students are growing tomatoes, basil, peppers and onions in raised garden beds, using their own harvest to make pizzas later this semester. Along the way, they’re engaging in a variety of cross-curricular lessons, incorporating science, math, reading and social studies.
The project builds on the class’s existing agricultural efforts, including their participation in the American Dairy Association’s “Adopt-a-Calf” program. Their adopted calf, Gouda, has already helped students learn about dairy farming and cheese production—knowledge that ties directly into lessons about mozzarella and pizza making.
Westhafer said the new project is especially timely for students living in Jackson County, a community undergoing rapid development.
“Jackson County is becoming less rural,” she said. “We’re seeing more warehouses, increased traffic, and pollution that impacts local farms. It’s crucial for students to understand agriculture’s importance to Georgia’s economy and their own communities.”
The initiative includes visits from a local pizza restaurant owner and a nearby farmer, helping students see the real-world roles these professionals play in the food system. Through these interactions, students will explore how ingredients are sourced and learn that agriculture can be as small as a home garden or as large as a commercial farm.
All materials for the project were purchased locally, ensuring the grant funding supports nearby businesses and stays within the community.
The classroom greenhouse, equipped with translucent panels to regulate light and temperature, is being used for growing and experimentation. Students explore how controlled environments help plants thrive, reinforcing their science curriculum.
Mathematics is embedded throughout the project as students measure garden plots, track plant growth, and calculate the amount of each ingredient needed for their final recipes.
“It’s hard to show kids sometimes why math is important,” Westhafer said. “But when they’re using it to plan and maintain their garden, they see its real-world value.”
The project will conclude with a “We-Planted-a-Pizza” celebration where students will harvest their crops and make pizzas from scratch. The event will serve as both a culinary experience and a demonstration of the students’ knowledge of the farm-to-table process.
Students will also become advocates for local agriculture, creating posters, videos and presentations to inspire others to start their own pizza gardens at home.
“Even if we don’t have huge farms, you can have your own personal garden and still provide healthy food,” said Westhafer. “We want students to share this message with their families and community.”
The classroom environment also encourages adaptability and creative problem-solving, as Westhafer introduces unexpected challenges to teach resilience and critical thinking.
“I always like to throw curve balls, because life has curve balls,” she said. “When something doesn’t go as planned, students learn to ask, ‘How can I fix this? What can I use instead?’”
HireSmart Cares, the nonprofit supporting the project, is dedicated to funding youth education and workforce development initiatives, particularly those focused on agriculture and entrepreneurship. The “Plant-a-Pizza” project reflects its ongoing mission to equip the next generation with practical skills and community connections.
For more information on how HireSmart Cares supports agricultural education or to propose a classroom initiative, contact info@hiresmartcares.org or visit www.HireSmartCares.org.
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About HireSmart Cares
Founded in 2021 by Mark and Anne Lackey, HireSmart Cares is a nonprofit organization that aims to equip the next generation by providing tools, technology, time, and teaching. The organization supports practical, skills-based education and career development through initiatives such as trade school grants, business coaching, and educational scholarships. HireSmart Cares also invests in local agriculture and global education, aiming to empower young people with opportunities to succeed without the financial burden of traditional college pathways.
For more information, visit www.hiresmartcares.org
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