Our Field Trip to Level Ground Trading Company
For our first field trip of the semester, our social studies class went to Level Ground Trading Company. While I have been to Level Ground before and have heard the presentation I was pleasantly surprised that I learned even more this time around as I was listening to the presentation as a prospective teacher. We were warmly welcomed in to level ground by Stacey, one of the owners of the company, and were offered tea and coffee. The presentation began with some information about Stacey's own farming practice and how he has learned to farm in a way that is similar to the way nature takes care of itself. Next, we heard about the founding of level ground, the people that they trade with and their trading ideology. Level Ground takes the idea of fair trade well beyond what is needed for a certification or a label on their packaging. Instead they strive to be fair in every way they can and always make sure that the people come before profit. Once we were done the presentation we were given the opportunity to tour the production area.
This was such an amazing field trip and one that I will most definitely try and bring my students on. There is so much to our food production that we do not even know about. We take our food for granted without giving much thought to what goes in it or who is making the food we eat every day. Additionally, we are so susceptible to advertising and I for one did not no know how little has to be done to get a fair trade certification. While of course it is important to get that certification, many companies only go so far as getting the label but do not actually get to know the people that they are working with. Additionally, the idea that every time you buy something is a request for companies to make more really brings to light home much power or purchases make. By purchasing products like those at level ground we are supporting those who do business in a fair way as opposed to those who do business with little regard for the people they are working with. These themes are ones that can be addressed in the classroom but the opportunity to see it in action and talk to people who are directly involved in fair trade is so much more powerful.
Level Ground Vision
"Our vision is to alleviate poverty in developing countries through Direct Fair Trade."
Level Ground Mission
"Our mission is to trade fairly and directly with small-scale producers in developing countries, offering customers ethical choices."
Connection to Teacher Competencies
The Second teacher competency is "Educators or are models who act ethically and honestly". While this competency refers directly to being a responsible teacher and making sure that you act in an appropriate manner both inside and outside of the classroom, teachers are a role model in all aspects of life. Of course we must act in a way that reflects well on the teaching profession as a whole, but we must also act in a way that sets a good example for our students in regards to treating others and the planet in an ethical way. By choosing to purchase food and other items that are produced in an ethical and sustainable way we are putting our words in to actions and showing our students the importance of making good choices that benefit others and the earth. Level ground takes fair trade way beyond just a certification and makes sure that every aspect of their business is fair. This is amazing and a great way to show others that being fair goes beyond just paperwork and a label. As teachers we must show our students examples of fairness and equality and by purchasing these sorts of products, having conversations about fair trade or bringing our students on field trips like this, we are encouraging our students to use their purchasing power in an ethical way.