SANGEETHA GUMMANDI DOESN'T LIVE for...

SANGEETHA GUMMANDI DOESN'T LIVE forward A FARM, BUT the first vehicle she at any time drove was a tractor. Like 160 other city kids, Gummandi, 18 (pictured above), attends the Agricultural and nutrition Sciences Academy (AFSA), a public high seminary near St. Paul, Minn. academys like AFSA offer specialized courses in plant science, engineering and mathematics, environmental studies, rations science, and animal science, onward top of a regular college-prep curriculum.

Specialized trains are nothing new. Cities ofttimes boast magnet schools devoted to the performing arts or health or medical sciences. nevertheless "urban ag" is the latest twist. In fact, there are no other than a handful of urban ag high sects across the United States.

At the Chicago High exercise for Agricultural Sciences, students can major in single of five career pathways, including horticulture. Juniors focus forward floral design, engaging in piece of work shadowing and internships in floral workshops Seniors tackle landscape design and commercial greenhouse management.

An on-campus greenhouse and outdoor farm increase bedding plants and poinsettias, as well as corn, pumpkins, and other vegetables--all sold at students after harvest. The year's big project? Designing and building a garden for the humongous Chicago Flower and Garden point out In March, students built a 1,250-square-foot Dutch-themed garden, unbroken with a windmill and 20000 tulips. It took undivided week to assemble the garden inside a convention hall, moreover the students had just common day to pull it down! Then those 20000 tulips had to pass somewhere--so it was back to educate for some serious planting.

A self-described city girl, Gummandi in no degree imagined herself researching the increase of chickens or crops.

"Once we visited a farm where you could stick your arm inside a cow's stomach!" says the high seminary senior. "But I like a challenge! This instruct is different and untraditional."

Not all urban ag programs operate disclosed of high schools. The viands Project, a Boston-based organization, applys students year-round as part of its "Dirt Crew" Teen learn nutrition production and sustainable agriculture techniques onward both a 31-acre rural farm and an urban farm. each week they prepare food at local shelters, help farmers take a bribe for their wares at markets, and on the same level design green spaces for the city.

"Everyone thinks agriculture means working a farm, nevertheless it's so much more--science, business, and urban planning," says Gummandi, who plans to meditation agricultural education at the University of Minnesota. "The trick is not to limit yourself to stereotype Be open-minded and put to the test something new. You may surprise yourself."

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