HomeYouth LessonsProject S.O.W: Food Gardening with Justice in MindUnit 2: Gardening with Gratitude2.4 Connecting with Elders

2.4 Connecting with Elders

group of people sitting in a circle planting plantsSkill Level

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Learner Outcomes

  • Practice developing questions and critical thinking skills.
  • Build communication and research skills while connecting with others in the local community.
  • Reflect on life experience of others.
  • Discover “other ways of knowing” through engagement with older adults.

Life Skills

Decision making, critical thinking, goal setting, planning/organizing, keeping records, communications, cooperation, social skills, empathy, sharing, leadership, contribution to group, marketable/useful skills, teamwork, managing feelings, self-discipline

Time

This activity can take place over multiple sessions. Timing can vary for each part. We suggest an hour for preparation, an hour for the interview, and an hour for sharing and reflection.

Materials

Space

A place for group to brainstorm ideas and work independently. Interviews can take place at a site in the community or in regular meeting spot.

Introduction

In this activity, youth will plan for and interview a local food elder (older person) in their community. These elders can be any person connected to the food system. This connection could be and is not limited to having a personal garden, farming, working at a community or school garden, working in an organization championing food justice, working at a grocery store, or having a passion for cooking. Elders could be Master Gardener Volunteers, grandparents, neighbors, or anyone else willing to share food traditions from their culture. These interviews are meant to provide an opportunity for youth to learn about local garden efforts, food justice initiatives, food traditions from different cultures, and an understanding of how the food system works for different people, while connecting with, and learning the value of, engaging with those with wisdom in the community.

Intergenerational connections are rewarding for the young and old. These interviews provide a space for elders to share their experience and expertise, and an opportunity for youth to be introduced to new ideas and interests. Preparing for and conducting interviews supports youth in developing life skills and building self-esteem and confidence. These interviews can help encourage open communication and cultural exchange.

Before the Activity

Activity

Part One: Review what makes a good interview

  1. Ask group: What is the last interview you have seen or of which you have been a part? Describe the interview — who was interviewed and who was asking questions? Was it formal or informal? What went well? What surprised you?
    •Notice trends or similar qualities listed. Share these with the group.
  2. Review successful interviewing practices by handing out an Interview Practice Tips strip to each person in the group. Have each person read their interview tip aloud one at a time. Ask if anyone has questions or needs clarification.

Part Two: Develop questions

  1. Have the group brainstorm what they want to learn from the food elder interview.
    •The interview could focus on learning the history of the garden or community organization. When and how did it begin? What is its mission? How do they put this mission into action?
    •It could also include life lessons from the food elder. What does food justice mean to them? Who taught them important skills? When did their passion develop? What advice do they have to share?
    •There could be questions that focus on the differences across their life span. What is different now from when they first began gardening — in their gardens, their families, their communities. What do they most appreciate about the changes? What do they find more challenging?
  2. Once establishing what they want to learn, have youth create a list of interview questions. Have youth share the questions they generated in pairs or small groups. Have groups offer feedback to one another.

Part Three: Conduct interview

  1. Youth conduct the interview. The interview could be videotaped or recorded if they obtain permission.

Part Four: Reflect and share

  1. Have youth present what they learned from the interviews. This can be an informal sharing in a circle or formal presentations.
  2. After presenting, reflect on the experience. How did you feel doing the interview? Did anything surprise you? What did you learn?

Variations

  • Have youth decide who they would like to interview. This can be done independently or in a brainstorming session. Encourage youth to reach out to someone they do not know. Requests from youth are often taken to heart and are sometimes more likely to be fulfilled than a request from an adult.
  • The StoryCorps app can be a useful tool to record interviews.

Learn More

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