Close-up of golden wheat stalks swaying in a field at sunset with a soft, warm light in the background.

Developing Individuals,
Growing Stewards

Helping youth understand the widespread impact and importance of agriculture.

Green logo for the DIGS program, featuring symbols related to agriculture, including trees, a human figure, animals, a tractor, and farming tools.

A new way to introduce agriculture in the classroom

Developing Individuals, Growing Stewards (DIGS) is a curriculum developed by Colorado State University’s 4-H STEM AmeriCorps program and faculty in CSU’s Agricultural Education Program. Designed for 3rd-5th graders, the curriculum covers a wide range of topics across eight units with a total of twenty-four lessons. Each lesson contains Colorado Academic Standards, 4-H life skills, background information on the subject material, vocabulary lists, career connections, and more.

A free curriculum for teachers, parents, and more

Anyone can teach DIGS.  Whatever your role – if you’re looking to build afterschool programs or a homeschooling parent or classroom teacher looking for a cohesive lesson plan to teach Colorado agriculture – DIGS is your solution.

DIGS, developed during a two-week summer camp, encompasses all twenty-four lessons in the curriculum. The action-packed days were filled with interactive activities covering a range of topics, from plant health to genetics to basic nutrition. Curriculum developers included a CSU Extension 4-H Agent, a CSU graduate student, and an AmeriCorps member with no previous background in agriculture. By the end of the two-week camp, seventy-one percent of participants increased their knowledge of Colorado agriculture and their appreciation of STEM.

Download the DIGS Curriculum

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Related Topics

  • Agriculture

    Explore a wide range of agriculture programs, resources, and information from Colorado State University.

  • Youth Programs

    Colorado State University remains committed to creating and supporting a variety of engaging, high-quality youth programs across Colorado, including 4-H, after-school programs, and youth summer camps. Find out how you can get involved!

  • Service Programs

    Explore a wide range of agriculture programs, resources, and information from Colorado State University.

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