THE DROP COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM
THE DROP COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM
THE DROP COLLABORATIVE PROGRAM
The DC Approach
Private landowners, nonprofits, & schools host DC programs in rural, urban, or suburban settings.
Hands-on agricultural education fosters real-world skills, responsibility, respect, accountability and teamwork.
Fresh crops support quality health via food banks and communities, teaching collaboration and service.
High School students mentor and teach young children during interactive, fun, farm-based learning days.
❝ You're not just teaching farming — you're teaching responsibility and respect. ❞
Spotlight: The High School Model
Developed in partnership with Unaka High School, this SAE-certified program teaches farming, workforce skills, and leadership while directly supporting local community.
🎓 Recognized by the TN Dept. of Education as a Best Practices CTE Model.
Since 2015, The Drop Collaborative (DC) has offered free access to its farm and structures to launch a pioneering high school model rooted in:
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Teaching sustainable farming
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Workforce development
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Partnering with nonprofits and small businesses
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Donating the harvest
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Mentoring youth
In strict alignment with these initiatives, the DC High School Model was developed in partnership with Dr. Melissa Loveless, creating a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) curriculum tailored for meaningful, standards-based education and deemed an award winning CTE Model for Best Practices by the TN Department of Education.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
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DC collaborates with high schools to identify SAE study areas based on workforce trends and community needs.
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Students apply in their junior year. Admission is based on attendance, GPA, AG course history, and faculty recommendations.
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Participating AG teachers must hold an AG degree and Work-Based Learning certification.
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DC works closely with teachers to uphold its mission and goals.
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Monthly updates (blogs, photos, and student highlights) are provided by DC via social media and website.
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DC coordinates sponsorships with local small businesses.
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DC organizes donation logistics with local food banks for all harvested crops.
TEACH FARMING
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SAEs expose students to the broad scope of agriculture and natural resource careers.
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Each student develops a Personalized Learning Plan (PLP) with five (5) SMART goals and a formal project scope.
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Recordkeeping, advisor supervision, and reflection are required throughout the program.
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Districts may choose to offer academic credit upon demonstration of mastery of outlined SAE standards.
DONATE HARVEST
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Crops grown through the SAE program are donated to local community and food banks addressing community food insecurity.
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Students may earn Tennessee Promise community service hours by participating in food distribution.
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Since many participants qualify for free/reduced lunch, the food donation network often supports students' own families — creating a full-circle impact.
MENTOR YOUTH
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DC partners with local schools, Head Start, and Pre-K programs to host “Drop by the Farm” Days.
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These interactive field days include farm-based learning activities led by high school students for younger children.
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The program fosters early development in social, emotional, and intellectual growth — while giving high school students the chance to lead, teach, and inspire.
❝ You don’t realize how much work goes into this until you’re the one doing it. ❞
© 2025 Drop Collaborative