The second day of the Seeds to Greens Program began with the children arriving at the Farm Lab, full of chatter and excitement about what new things they would discover. After settling down, they were served a simple breakfast. 

As they ate, their Telugu teacher, Ms. Shailaija, shared with them the enchanting story of Sanjeevani from the Ramayana. The children listened wide-eyed, fascinated by the magical herb that had the power to bring life back. 

Once the story concluded, the children were divided into two groups to begin their farm activities.

Group One: Weeding and Watering

This group headed straight to their leafy green patches, where they learned how to identify and gently remove weeds that compete with their crops for nutrients. At first, some were cautious, unsure of how to handle the tiny plants, but soon they grew confident, pulling out the weeds carefully and loosening the soil.

They then learned the art of watering—not too much, not too little—giving each sapling just what it needed to thrive. Watching the little droplets soak into the earth, some children remarked how the plants looked “happier” after a drink.

Group Two: Understanding Weeds and Making Jeevamrutham

Meanwhile, the second group explored the world of weeds more deeply. Then came the highlight of their activity: making Jeevamrutham, a traditional natural fertilizer. A small container was placed before them, and into it went cow dung, cow urine, jaggery, soil, and besan flour. At first, many of them wrinkled their noses and hesitated to dip their hands into the mixture. But as soon as the mixing began, laughter and giggles filled the air. The hesitation quickly turned into excitement—the children were delighted to swirl the mixture with their hands, seeing how the different ingredients came together to create something life-giving for the soil.

After completing their first round of activities, the two groups swapped places so that everyone had a chance to both care for their plants and prepare Jeevamrutham. While making the natural fertilizer, the teacher connected it back to the story of Sanjeevani. Just like the herb gave new life in the epic tale, Jeevamrutham too is like a magical potion that nourishes the soil and strengthens plants naturally. This storytelling link left a deep impression on the children, making the farming lesson feel alive and meaningful.

By the end of the morning, the children had not only learned important farming practices but also experienced them in a joyful, hands-on way. With muddy hands, smiling faces, and hearts still echoing with the story of Sanjeevani, they gathered together to enjoy a snack before heading back.

Day 2 closed with a sense of wonder—the children left knowing that farming, like the stories from our traditions, holds secrets of life, health, and magic waiting to be discovered.