University of Nevada, Reno, Extension faculty presented results of a pilot and subsequent quasi-experimental study on the impact of the I Am A Seed program through the lens of the Social Ecological Model (SEM) at the State of Nevada Maternal and Child Health Fall Symposium.
Attendees also learned about the Extension Health and Nutrition program delivery model and how to sign up for free child and family resources. Children's optimal development is contingent upon a number of social, economic, cultural, and political factors that are outlined in the Social Ecological Model (SEM) and Social Determinants of Health (SDoH). I Am A Seed (IAAS) is a garden-based nutrition education program for early childhood settings that takes students through the food system from seed to table. Through this program, students learn skills in gardening and cooking and gain knowledge on healthy snack options, their benefits and origins. The program has been shown to improve behaviors around food neophobia and social-emotional regulation through some tailored yoga-like stretching activities simulating the plant cycle. Extension implemented IAAS at 5 ECE sites using customized garden types from 2024 to 2025 with 123 students using pre- and post-assessments. Preliminary results showcase that students are more knowledgeable about fruits and vegetables and more interested in trying ones that are unfamiliar to them after completing the program. Teachers and parents are engaged throughout the program, providing a multipronged impact.
