Farmer Talks Careers with Rothenberg School Children

It’s never too early to learn about rewarding careers.

Especially when you get to hear from an urban farmer!

Stephen Dienger, the farm manager at Our Harvest Cooperative in Cincinnati, visited Rothenberg Preparatory Academy in Over-the-Rhine on Feb. 16 to talk to third graders about what it’s like to grow food for the community.

Stephen Dienger, farm manager of Our Harvest Cooperative, and Ann Troyer, educator for Rothenberg Rooftop Garden, talk to 3rd graders at Rothenberg Preparatory Academy in Over-the-Rhine Feb. 16. Photo by Tony Ferrari

Of course, these students know a little about that already.

They have a whole garden of their own on the school’s roof – and Rothenberg Rooftop Garden teachers who integrate healthy growing and food prep into the school’s curriculum.

But students listened to Stephen talk about his worker-owned farm, which has locations in College Hill and Morrow, Ohio.

Planting, watering, tending and selling – all aspects of farm life that kids can understand and connect with their own Rothenberg lessons.

Our Harvest strives to grow healthy, local food in a way that honors land and labor, following the Mondragon Cooperative model in Spain.

Stephen Dienger’s visit to Rothenberg was supported by Slow Food Cincinnati, which has been volunteering with Rooftop Garden professionals as they integrate healthy food production lessons into the K-6 science, English and math curriculum.

Slow Food Cincinnati board members Katie Ausdenmoore of Kroger and Tony Ferrari of Mom ‘n ‘em Coffee attended the Feb. 16 farmer fun.

— Annie-Laurie Blair