Holden Elementary Celebrates National Farm to School Month

Ami Gignac from Breakneck Acres organic farm will visit Friday, Oct. 28, 2011, as part of National Farm to School Month celebrations happening all across the country. 

Last year, the United States House of Representatives declared October National Farm to School Month, recognizing the strong role Farm to School plays in promoting good health and strong economies. 

Two and a half years ago parents, students and teachers at Holden started a small vegetable garden just outside their school. Students have been able to start seedlings in their classroom, plant and maintain the garden, harvest and eat tasty vegetable snacks such as broccoli or salad, and host a booth at the Haymaker Farmers’ Market. The garden will expand next year and more classrooms will be able to connect the garden to their classroom curriculum.

This month, Holden celebrates National Farm to School month along with schools across the country. Garden activities throughout the month will culminate with their Harvest Festival. The Festival will feature a presentation from local, organic farm Breakneck Acres, garden poetry readings by third graders who have worked with the Wick Poetry Center, and songs shared by fourth and fifth graders.  Afterwards, students will enjoy homemade pumpkin muffins made with pumpkins from local Heron Hill Farm and apple cider from local Beckwith’s Orchards.

School vegetable gardens are often the first step in Farm to School programs.  Such programs are widely recognized as an effective way to encourage healthy eating and boost local agriculture sales by bringing local vegetables, fruit, and other products into schools. Over the past decade, the Farm to School movement has exploded across the United States. There are now more than 2,300 Farm to School programs in schools across all 50 states, according to the National Farm to School Network. More information can be found at their website www.farmtoschool.org.