SCDA Grant Award Press Release

South Carolina Department of Agriculture
Hugh Weathers, Commissioner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SC Schools Awarded “Eat Smart, It’s in the Garden” Grants

COLUMBIA, SC, January 27, 2009 – Five schools in South Carolina have been selected to
receive $1,000 to implement or improve a garden site on their school grounds in the “Eat Smart,
It’s in the Garden” grant initiative. The recipients include: Mellichamp Elementary in
Orangeburg County, Pauline-Glenn Springs Elementary in Spartanburg County, Pontiac
Elementary in Richland County, Central Child Education Center, York County, and the New
Direction School in Richland County.

The program initiated by Eat Smart, Move More...SC and the South Carolina Department of
Agriculture supports the effort to offer a unique space within the school environment in which
children of all abilities can achieve learning goals. Eat Smart, Move More...SC is a non-profit
organization dedicated to the promotion of healthy eating and active living throughout South
Carolina.

Hugh Weathers, Commissioner of Agriculture, said, “This program provides teachers with a tool
to incorporate hands-on learning experiences with their students. The gardening experience also
helps to instill good eating habits at an early age, provides children with a physical activity, and
develops a greater appreciation for the great diversity of food that can be grown in South
Carolina.”

The grant period ends in June, and each of the grant recipients will be sharing their success
stories and ideas for sustaining their gardening projects into the future.

For more information about school gardens in South Carolina, visit School Gardens Program at
www.agriculture.sc.gov or call Beth Crocker, 803-734-2210.

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Contact:
Becky Walton, 803-734-2182, bwalton@scda.sc.gov
Stephen Hudson, 803-734-0648, sdhudson@scda.sc.gov