A great way to honor his amazing contributions is with a George Washington Carver Peanut Butter Pie. Also, you’ll love my George Washington Carver Fun Peanut Quick Unit Study & Notebooking Pages.
George Washington Carver is best remembered as the scientist who transformed Southern agriculture, but his legacy reaches far beyond peanuts. He was an educator, inventor, artist, and deeply faithful man who believed knowledge should be used to serve others.
One of the most engaging ways for homeschool families to study his life is through food history, especially by exploring George Washington Carver recipes and the creative uses he developed for everyday crops.
George Washington Carver was born into slavery around 1864 in Diamond, Missouri. Orphaned at a young age, he was raised by Moses and Susan Carver, who encouraged his curiosity and love of learning.
Because schools were segregated, Carver often had to travel long distances just to receive an education. His determination paid off, and he eventually earned a degree in agricultural science from Iowa State Agricultural College.
Carver later became a professor and researcher at Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University), where he worked for decades helping poor farmers improve their soil, crops, and livelihoods.
LEARNING ABOUT PEANUTS & RESOURCES FOR KIDS
First, look at these resources for kids to learn about peanuts and George Washington Carver.
6 Learning About Peanuts & George Washington Carver Books
Add in some fun facts about the history of peanuts and some fun books for a quick unit study.
Discover how George Washington Carver went from a slave to an innovator of agricultural science in this luminously illustrated picture book.Born a slave, George Washington Carver went on to become the most prominent black scientist of the early twentieth century.
What are peanuts - are they peas or are they nuts? Do they grow above or below ground? Who invented peanut butter? In the same spirit as his award-winning Life and Times of the Honeybee, Charles Micucci explores one of America's most favorite and enigmatic snack foods. This fascinating picture book, with its concise, detailed text and abundant illustrations, ranging from the humorous to the scientific, offers a spirited introduction to the life cycle, many uses, and historical influences of the peanut.
Get your recommended daily allowance of facts and fun with Food Anatomy, the third book in Julia Rothman’s best-selling Anatomy series. She starts with an illustrated history of food and ends with a global tour of street eats
Born in 1860s Missouri, nobody expected George Washington Carver to succeed. Slaves were not allowed to be educated. After the Civil War, Carver enrolled in classes and proved to be a star student. He became the first black student at Iowa State Agricultural College and later its first black professor. He went on to the Tuskegee Institute where he specialized in botany (the study of plants) and developed techniques to grow crops better. His work with vegetables, especially peanuts, made him famous and changed agriculture forever.
George Washington Carver spent his life asking questions and looking for the answers. He gained a reputation as the farmers' best friend after teaching about crop rotation. He told farmers to grow peanuts and sweet potatoes to "rest" their soil between cotton crops. And what could they do with all those peanuts? Carver developed more than 300 peanut-based products—from milk to printers' ink—and more than 100 ways to use sweet potatoes. Young children love the story of this exceptional inventor.
Born into slavery, George Washington Carver became one of the most prestigious scientists of his time. This biography follows Dr. Carver's life from childhood to his days as a teacher and discoverer.
Then, look at more facts about Carver.
FACTS ABOUT GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER
During Carver’s lifetime, many Southern farms relied heavily on cotton, which depleted the soil of nutrients. Carver taught farmers about crop rotation, especially planting peanuts, sweet potatoes, and legumes to restore nitrogen to the soil.
His work helped:
- Improve soil health
- Increase food security
- Reduce poverty among farmers
- Promote sustainable agriculture
Carver was less interested in wealth and fame and more focused on service. He even refused lucrative job offers so he could continue teaching and helping farmers.
- He was an accomplished painter and artist.
- He often spoke about faith and believed God guided his scientific work.
- He developed natural dyes from plants, including peanuts.
- He created peanut-based inks, soaps, and cosmetics.
He never patented most of his inventions, believing knowledge should be shared freely.
One common myth is that George Washington Carver “invented” peanut butter. While he did not invent it, he did create over 300 uses for peanuts and more than 100 uses for sweet potatoes.
These included food products, household items, dyes, cosmetics, and even fuel alternatives. He encouraged people to think creatively about food, nutrition, and local ingredients.
George Washington Carver’s work reminds us that innovation doesn’t have to be flashy; it can be practical, humble, and deeply meaningful. Through his recipes, research, and teaching, he showed how science could serve families and communities.
Also, look at Gardening Projects For Homeschool Easy Composting With the Amazing Dr. George Carver (Free Printable About Compost
Then, look at these recipes.
GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER RECIPES
Carver published bulletins that included recipes and practical kitchen ideas designed for rural families. Many were simple, affordable, and nutritious. Here are a few recipe ideas inspired by his work that you can explore with your children:
These recipes help children understand how peanuts could replace more expensive protein sources like meat.
- Peanut soup
- Peanut gravy (a Southern staple during Carver’s time)
- Roasted peanuts with salt or spices
- Homemade peanut butter
- Peanut biscuits or bread
Carver also promoted sweet potatoes as a versatile and nutritious crop:
- Mashed sweet potatoes
- Sweet potato biscuits
- Sweet potato pancakes
- Sweet potato pudding
- Baked sweet potato fries
After cooking, compare modern recipes to historical ones and discuss how cooking methods have changed over time.
Carver believed cooking was a form of science. Use his work as a springboard for hands-on learning:
Discuss how food choices impact communities and economies.
- Compare the protein content in peanuts vs. meat.
- Experiment with grinding peanuts into flour.
- Observe how legumes improve soil with a simple planting experiment.
Finally, look at how to make this George Washington Carver peanut butter pie.
PEANUT BUTTER PIE RECIPE
You will need:
Filling
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 8 oz Cool Whip
Crust
- 1 ¾ cup graham crackers
- 6 Tbsp. melted butter
- 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
First, you can either use a store-bought crust or make your own.
To make your own, crush up 1 ¾ cups of graham crackers, about a pack and a half. Crush by hand in a bag or use a food processor.
Combine with melted butter and sugar until well mixed.
Press the mixture into a pie pan firmly and use the bottom of a cup to pack it down on the bottom and sides.
Bake in an oven preheated to 350℉ for 10 minutes.
Set aside to cool.
While your pie crust is cooling, mix the cream cheese until fluffy.
Add cream cheese, peanut butter, and powdered sugar, mix well.
Finally, add cool whip and mix until just combined and fluffy.
When pie crust is cool smooth mixture into it.
Chop some peanuts and add to the top for decoration if you like.
You can also drizzle the top with chocolate for an extra touch.
