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Tribune photo by Megan Grec)
Students from the Mineral County Technical Center worked
with the Master Gardners to create raised beds to grow
vegetables that will be used in the school systems
breakfast and lunch programs.
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Keyser, W.Va. —
By Megan Greco
mgreco@newstribune.info
Tribune Staff Writer
KEYSER-The Mineral County Technical Center agriculture team will be teaming up with farmers throughout the community to launch the ‘Farm to School’ initiative. The nation wide program is meant to create a positive relationship between farmers, communities, and schools.
The ‘Farm to School’ initiative will benefit children by allowing them access to locally grown food that will be introduced into the breakfast and lunch program. By providing locally grown food, quality freshness and nutritional value remain much higher. According to the Office of Child Nutrition, children will eat more fruit and vegetables when they have access to a variety of high quality fresh items.
All eleven Mineral County schools will be involved in this new program beginning in 2012-2013 school year. Locally grown food will benefit everyone involved by promoting the local economy, encouraging students to know where their food comes from instead of consuming large amounts of processed foods, and creating a working relationship for students who plan to enter the agriculture field. Teachers Julie Sions, Carol Webb, Katrina Dolly, Charlie Bennett, John Ritchie, and Nutrition Director Becky Schneider have been vigorously working to bring this program to the students.
The Culinary Arts ProStart classes will also play a role in the ‘Farm to Food’ program by prepping the food before it is sent to the various schools.
Agriculture teacher Julie Sions explained the significants this project carries for her students’ futures. “The agriculture department has been involved with this local food movement so that we can encourage students to become entrepreneurs themselves and learn the process of growing food. We are also hoping that this will be a good marriage between us and our community.”
Agriculture students will also be involved in raising food to supply to the school system. They will continue to tend to the peppers, cucumbers, herbs, and lettuce currently growing in the hydroponic beds at the tech center.
mgreco@newstribune.info
Tribune Staff Writer
KEYSER-The Mineral County Technical Center agriculture team will be teaming up with farmers throughout the community to launch the ‘Farm to School’ initiative. The nation wide program is meant to create a positive relationship between farmers, communities, and schools.
The ‘Farm to School’ initiative will benefit children by allowing them access to locally grown food that will be introduced into the breakfast and lunch program. By providing locally grown food, quality freshness and nutritional value remain much higher. According to the Office of Child Nutrition, children will eat more fruit and vegetables when they have access to a variety of high quality fresh items.
All eleven Mineral County schools will be involved in this new program beginning in 2012-2013 school year. Locally grown food will benefit everyone involved by promoting the local economy, encouraging students to know where their food comes from instead of consuming large amounts of processed foods, and creating a working relationship for students who plan to enter the agriculture field. Teachers Julie Sions, Carol Webb, Katrina Dolly, Charlie Bennett, John Ritchie, and Nutrition Director Becky Schneider have been vigorously working to bring this program to the students.
The Culinary Arts ProStart classes will also play a role in the ‘Farm to Food’ program by prepping the food before it is sent to the various schools.
Agriculture teacher Julie Sions explained the significants this project carries for her students’ futures. “The agriculture department has been involved with this local food movement so that we can encourage students to become entrepreneurs themselves and learn the process of growing food. We are also hoping that this will be a good marriage between us and our community.”
Agriculture students will also be involved in raising food to supply to the school system. They will continue to tend to the peppers, cucumbers, herbs, and lettuce currently growing in the hydroponic beds at the tech center.
The kickoff to this program took place at the
annual FFA banquet at Keyser High School. The meal featured local foods from
local farmers, foods grown by students, and foods grown at the tech center. Tom
McConnell, director of the West Virginia Small Farms Center spoke to the
audience on the importance of local foods for not only health, but also for
sustainability.
McConnell is also playing another major role
in the Mineral County “Farm to School” program. Because of the dedication of
the agriculture students and teachers, McConnell chose Mineral County to be one
of only two schools who received High Tunnels for growing.
Original Article Here
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