Journey 2050: a game to teach food sustainability

A question that often plagues the ag community is “How will we sustainably feed 9 billion people by the year 2050?” Journey 2050 aims to address this question by allowing students to experience agriculture in a whole new way! 

Created for students in grades 7-12, participants explore sustainable agriculture while making inquiry-based decisions. As they make these decisions, they see the ripple effect on social, economic and environmental factors locally and globally. Farm families in Canada, India and Kenya guide students through interactive games; including a virtual farm simulation and a geography scavenger hunt. 

This free, curriculum-based program is an online experience with animated videos, interactive games and lesson plans. The program can be finished in five hours and requires students to have access to a tablet or computer with internet access. Teachers are encouraged to register online at www.journey2050.com to access the program; some states and provinces even have guest speakers who will come into the classroom to present! 

Classrooms that participate and complete Journey 2050 may be eligible for a $100 donation credit to donate to pre-selected charities that contribute to sustainability. This allows students to think like global citizens and give back in their own communities.

Agrium is partnering with the National Agriculture in the Classroom Organization and Nutrients for Life to provide guest speakers in the classroom to help roll out the Journey 2050 game and the lessons that go with it! If you are interested in classroom speakers email NAITCO at info@naitco.org to make arrangements.

Journey 2050 is a collaboration of educators and agriculture experts including Agrium Inc., Alberta Canola Producers’ Commission, Agriculture in the Classroom (Canada and USA), Nutrients for Life (Canada and USA), 4-H Canada and the Calgary Stampede.