John from http://www.growingyourgreens.com visits the North Florida School of Special Education and Berry Good Farms in Jacksonville, Florida, a visionary school and nonprofit farm where the "edible schoolyard" model is being taken to the next level. In this episode, you’ll take a full tour of this incredible 8-acre therapeutic campus in Florida’s zone 9A—featuring a massive organic farm, high-tech greenhouses, and an equestrian center that proves how gardening and animal therapy can transform lives for students with intellectual and developmental differences. You’ll discover how this school integrates vocational training with sustainable agriculture, producing everything from 200+ pounds of blueberries and thornless blackberries to specialty cut flowers and hydroponic herbs. John explores the property to show you unique features like the "edible running track" lined with citrus, avocados, and sugar cane, and the innovative micro-businesses where students create everything from "Barkin' Biscuits" dog treats to fresh flower CSAs. John guides you through the diverse growing systems on-site, including aquaponics with tilapia, flood-and-drain hydroponics, and massive raised bed gardens. You’ll learn about hardy, cold-tolerant tropicals like the Dwarf Barbados Cherry and "Tree Spinach" (Chaya), plus the school's secret to profitable farming: why they transitioned from vegetables to high-value cut flowers. You’ll also hear powerful interviews with the people who made this possible, including parent and veteran grower Tim Armstrong and Farm Manager Jordan Williams, who share: The origin story of Berry Good Farms—and how one parent's vision started it all How a school can create sustainable income through micro-enterprises The therapeutic benefits of "getting your hands in the dirt" for students Top 3 easiest vegetables and 3 must-grow fruits for the Florida heat Expert advice for anyone learning from "YouTube University" to start their own garden Whether you’re a teacher, a parent of a child with special needs, or a home gardener looking for the best crops for zone 9A—this episode is a masterclass in community-based agriculture and a heart-centered model for schools across the country. Don't miss this one. It’s time to see how we can grow more than just food—we can grow a better future for everyone. Jump to the Following Parts of this Episode 00:00 Is this the school of the future? 01:48 Beyond the classroom: Farming as a micro-business 02:45 The therapeutic power of horses 🐴 04:52 Teaching the next generation of growers 06:12 200 Blueberry plants: How it all started 07:50 Berry Good Farms: Massive raised bed tour 10:07 The Edible Track: Snack while you run! 🍊 11:11 Why flowers are more profitable than veggies 🌸 12:15 Turning "waste" into garden gold 12:50 The cold-tolerant fruit you've never heard of: Dwarf Barbados Cherry 14:09 How to support this mission 14:55 Local Gems: The Thursday Farmers Market 16:40 Chaya: The "Tree Spinach" (Warning: Must cook!) 🥬 18:11 High-tech Harvest: Aquaponic Lettuce 19:20 Hydroponic herbs & 3-year-old Papaya trees 20:20 Pro-tip: Using pelletized seeds for accessibility 22:05 One parent's vision: Interview with Tim Armstrong 24:35 From school gardens to "Eat Your Yard" 26:28 Meet the Farm Manager: Jordan Williams 27:30 Dirt vs. Water: Which growing method is most popular? 28:30 Reverse Inclusion: Volunteering with a purpose 29:30 The most impactful moment on the farm 30:18 Top 3 easiest vegetables for Zone 9A ☀️ 31:39 3 Beginner-friendly fruits (including "Candy" Persimmons) 32:08 Words of wisdom for "YouTube University" graduates Referenced Episode: Eat Your Yard Jax https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52S22orZ2s8 Help me get to 1M subs! I am so close! http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=growingyourgreens Youtube Demonitized Me, but I am still going! Show your support at https://www.patreon.com/growingyourgreens Follow John on Instagram: http://instagram.com/growingyourgreens Watch all my videos at: https://www.youtube.com/user/growingyourgreens/videos Contact Information Berry Good Farms https://www.berrygoodfarms.org/ North Florida School of Special Education https://www.northfloridaschool.org/ Support Berry Good Farms So They Can Continue their Amazing Mission https://www.berrygoodfarms.org/get-involved/give/