Beverly Hills Collaborations
Embracing the Community
This year has also allowed us to develop our partnerships with the city of Beverly Hills and the Beverly Hills Unified School District.
In October of 2021, we placed our first hydroponic growing tower in the science lab at Horace Mann Elementary School.
Jen Levy, our Executive Director and Farm Guru, set up the tower and has been a guest lecturer, teaching lessons to second and third graders in conjunction with their planting units.
Education and Outreach
In addition to the tower at Horace Mann, Jen partnered with Beverly Hills High School teachers Marla Weiss and Sue Yovetich to bring towers into their classrooms. Working with Sue, Jen co-taught an eight- week unit in her Environmental Science class using the hydroponic tower and the environmental science curriculum to bring real life connections to the students.
Jen has also taught a number of stand-alone lessons in the AP Biology classes and the AP Human Geography classes. She is in ongoing discussions with teachers and leadership at BHHS about expanding this partnership in to the 2022-2033 school year.
BHCF has partnered with Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills for some hands-on learning both at the farm space as well as for their students in the religious school.
Continuing Education
Working with one of our partners, The Menorah House, Jen taught an herb planting class to a handful of their residents. In addition to learning about how to plant herbs in a container, each participant was able to take home one or two plants of their own to take care of.
Local Food
BHCF has also had information booths at a few Farmer’s Markets in Beverly Hills, including a special Earth Day market where we highlighted our hydroponic towers and their sustainable, water friendly ways of growing food. We also participated in the Climate Action night in Beverly Hills to help bring awareness to the farm and hydroponics.