[Black History Month 2025] George Washington Carver: The Scientist Who Helped Farmers and the Earth

February 09, 2025

How to Explain George Washington Carver's Impact to Kids: Imagine if your favorite playground was too muddy to play on or if your garden couldn’t grow any flowers. That’s how farming used to be in the United States! The soil wasn’t healthy because people kept planting the same crops over and over, which took away all the nutrients.

George Washington Carver, a scientist and inventor, found a solution. He taught farmers to plant peanuts, sweet potatoes, and other crops that helped the soil stay strong. This meant farmers could grow more food and take better care of the land. He also invented over 300 uses for peanuts, though he didn’t invent peanut butter!

Thanks to him, families had more food to eat, and farmers learned to take care of the earth.

How Kids Can Learn from Carver Today:

• Try planting different flowers or vegetables in your yard each year.

• Learn about how plants help the soil.

• Reduce waste by finding new uses for old things, just like Carver did!

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