Georgia is at a turning point. Across our state, families are feeling the pressure of rising food costs, school nutrition teams are stretched thin, and communities are searching for real, lasting solutions to food access and environmental resilience. At the same time, Georgia’s students are hungry for hands-on learning — the kind that connects science to soil, math to mapping, and community to the food on their plates. This moment calls for leadership, education, and a statewide shift toward food security. That is why Shaome Cooperative created the Food Forest Foundations Certification. This certification is more than a course. It is a pathway to resilience — for educators, for leaders, for students (of all ages), and for Georgia’s future. Georgia Needs a New Approach to Food Security Georgia ranks among the states with significant food access challenges. For many families, fresh produce isn’t always within reach. But food security isn’t just about access — it’s about capacity. It’s about teaching people how food grows, why ecosystems matter, and what communities can do to change their own future. A Food Forest is a living example of that solution. And this certification empowers educators and leaders across the state to understand, design, and replicate this powerful model in their own communities. Teachers Need Tools That Teach Real-World Skills Georgia’s educators are some of the most innovative, dedicated professionals in the country — but they lack access to standardized, practical training in food systems, ecology, and regenerative design.Teachers have told us they want: - hands-on project-based learning - curriculum that connects directly to the GSE - real-world skills their students can use at home - training that feels meaningful and relevant And we’re delivering! We have provided GSE-aligned curriculum to schools, raised bed gardens, and food forests are in the works! The next step is education tied to certifications, so we can multiply the number of people who can teach other people how to become food secure!