Interested in learning more about partnering with us through the Great Microgreen Caper program? Complete our interest form, and we will contact you with more information.
Educators and potential partners: Connect with us to bring the Great Microgreen Caper program to your community or group!
Our Explore 4-H programs give schools, educators and youth-serving organizations the opportunity to bring proven, research-based 4-H experiences to their communities.
Complete our interest form, and we will send more information to help you get started.
What is the Great Microgreen Caper?
In this program, youth discover how seeds are the beginning of almost all life on Earth — powering our food, farms and natural ecosystems.
Through hands-on learning, they explore how a tiny seed becomes a growing plant, understand where our food truly comes from and see the important ways humans, animals and the environment depend on plants for survival.
Age group
Designed for grades 3-4
Youth outcomes
- Understand the parts of a seed and their functions.
- Explore the conditions required for germination and plant growth.
- Connect seeds to food, agriculture and the environment.
- Observe and document seed growth through hands-on learning.
Program information
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The Great Microgreen Caper is a ready-to-use learning experience that engages youth in fast, hands-on plant-growing challenges while teaching how plants develop and thrive.
4-H staff and partners can easily implement it using the provided lesson guides, simple supply lists and flexible activities for classrooms, after-school programs or club settings.
Fill out the interest form to get connected!
The Great Microgreen Caper introduces youth to the fast-paced world of growing microgreens through hands-on experiments and fun challenges.
These lessons help youth learn how plants grow by exploring light, water, soil, and care — building foundational plant science skills they can apply to gardening and agriculture. A special focus is placed on soybeans, giving youth the chance to explore this important crop up close as they study seed structure, compare growth and discover its vital role in agriculture.
Lessons
What is a Seed? - Youth learn the role of seeds in life, agriculture and ecosystems by observing a dichotomous key to identify seeds and explore their parts.
Planting your Microgreens - Youth learn how to plant and care for both microgreens and soybeans by exploring seed anatomy and the plant growth cycle.
Grow and Identify Microgreens - Youth learn how to monitor, care for and identify different types of microgreens
Microgreen Uses and Benefits - Youth learn about the similarities, differences and everyday uses of pea, radish and soybean microgreens
- Microgreen Care and Harvest - Youth learn how to harvest microgreens and explore how proper care affects their flavor, texture and nutritional value.
The Great Microgreen Caper connects to Minnesota State Science Standards and other standards.
Ready to explore?
Complete the interest form
Reviewed in 2026