Tricia Putman, Richard Ball and a student planting winter squash seeds at Voorheesville Elementary School.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Feed the Hungry Program Expands with the Help of Partners!

 

The Feed the Hungry Program which was initiated at the Schoharie Elementary School with farmer, Richard Ball, continues to sow the seeds of understanding and so much more!  On Monday, June 6, 2011, Farmer Ball was the highlight on the program at the Voorheesville Elementary School, as he worked with four second grade classes as they planted winter squash seeds and learned about the process that feeds the world.  The students' efforts will have many significant positive results which include a better understanding of the source of their food, helping to stock the shelves of the Northeast Regional Food Bank and learning about growing food and creating healthy lifestyles.

 

The seedlings (which are each identified by marker with a student's name) will be transplanted to a dedicated plot at Schoharie Valley Farms.  In the fall, the same students will travel to the farm on a school "harvesting" trip.  The harvest will be donated to the Food Bank, with some squash returning to the school where the students will work with Voorheesville Farm to School volunteers and learn to cook the squash, taste their creations and discuss the benefits of eating locally grown fresh produce.  Voorheesville district chef, Tim Mulligan, will complete the Farm to School cycle by serving up butternut squash soon after harvest as that month's Farm to School "local Harvest" offering.  The general public has access to lessons about soil, seeds and harvest prepared by New York Ag in the Classroom at www.nyfbfoundation.org, which enhance the experience.

 

The Voorheesville Farm to School Initiative is a comprehensive program that extends beyond local foods in the cafeteria.  It includes experiential education opportunities such as planting, cultivating and harvesting school gardens, farm tours and visits from farmers, classroom cooking, teste tests and waste management programs like composting.  This initiative fits perfectly with the Feed the Hungry Program which was initiated by five partnering organizations which include:  New York Farm Bureau, New York Farm Bureau Foundation, NYS Agricultural Society, Cornell Agriculture Outreach and Education, which includes Ag in the Classroom and FFA.  The mission to expand students' knowledge of the agricultural food and fiber system and the understanding that good nutrition comes from the soil, growing healthy food, and providing an understanding of community and social service captures the essence of the program and dovetails with the Voorheesville Farm to School initiative perfectly.  Thanks to the work of Tricia Putman, who coordinated the planting, Richard Ball, our special farmer, and the positive support of the Voorheesville Elementary School, these students will have the opportunity to grow in many ways as they "Feed the Hungry". 

 

-Sandie Prokop 

NY Farm Bureau Foundation for Agricultural Education, Inc