Activities at Gray Court-Owings Elementary!!

Students, and fellow Montessori teachers have been busy starting seedlings in the classrooms. They have started tomatoes, various squash, peppers, lettuce, dill, and had some failed attempts at broccoli and parsley. Students recently planted some potatoes outside as well. This has allowed the primary classes up to fifth grade classes the opportunity to see vegetable and herb plants start from seed. They have also been responsible for helping water, and transplanting certain plants.

Last week fabric was put down and some soil delivered for the raised beds. Construction of the raised beds will begin after students return from spring break. The hope is to have them complete by April 23rd when we will invite families to come plant, weed and/or transplant in honor of Earth Day.

Teachers - Make plans to attend the 2010 South Carolina Ag in the Classroom Institute! FREE Tuition!

Looking for creative ways to make sure all your students learn important concepts? Join us for an innovative hands-on approach to learning. This Institute focuses on how you can tailor your teaching style to maximize comprehension for students of all learning styles. Ag in the Classroom and Learning Styles offers practical applications and teaching strategies which will grab your students' attention and encourage participation. The institute will be in Florence, South Carolina July 12-16, 2010. For more information visit: http://www.scfb.org/getinvolved/agintheclassroom.aspx

First Lady Says Phase out Fryers, Bring in Salad Bars!!!

In her speech this week to the School Nutrition Association, First Lady Michelle Obama continued her push for healthier school meals. Promoting her new Let’s Move! campaign to combat childhood obesity through healthy eating and increased exercise, Mrs. Obama was clear that the 31 million students who participate in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs each day should have access to more fresh fruits and vegetables, even saying to the audience of school foodservice directors that she supported increased funds for cafeteria equipment so schools could “… start phasing out those fryers and phasing in new ovens and salad bars and serving lines.” The First Lady then went further, calling the healthfulness of school meals the “… single most important thing we can do to fight childhood obesity.”

Recognizing the fact that kids who participate in school meal programs tend to get close to half of their calories from school meals, Mrs. Obama voiced how important it was that these meals reflect the latest dietary standards. She called for increasing school meal reimbursement rates in order to allow schools to serve more fruits and vegetables and even mentioned examples of schools that are putting healthier options into school vending machines.

A video of the First Lady's speech can be found here http://www.letsmove.gov/ and more information on United's nutrition initiatives can be found by contacting Dr. DiSogra at 202-303-3400.

Slow Food Garden in Miami, FL

Here's an article about a Slow Food Garden in Miami, Florida. Check it out to see what all they are growing and how the students are embracing the garden program!!

http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/03/07/1513773/a-garden-grows-at-cushman-school.html?story_link=email_msg

Farmville on March 20th!!!

EdVenture Children's Museum is proud to present the first Farmville – a family event designed to connect parents and children to the people, animals and machines that help bring food to our tables. Families will discover what foods and products are raised right here in South Carolina through unique hands-on learning experiences. Get up-close-and-personal with a variety of farm machines, equipment, and tools that bring us the food that keep us healthy every day, while learning about the science behind the agricultural technology of tomorrow! This event is free with museum admission on March 20th. http://www.edventure.org/calendar/calendar.aspx

STONE ACADEMY

This is the Stone Academy's "before" garden as they start planning for their spring garden using the Eat Smart, It's in the Garden grant funding.

TWO FUN CONTEST OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH!!!!

Announcing Two Contest Opportunities for Youth:

Cooking Up Change challenges teams of high school and college students to create a healthful and delicious school meal that meets the Institute of Medicine nutrition standards, incorporates a local food item, draws from ingredients commonly available to food service, and can be easily prepared in a school kitchen. Finalists will prepare their recipes in Detroit for a prestigious panel of judges. Conference participants will sample the teams’ delicious creations. Submit your recipes online by March 26, 2010. For contest guidelines and information, visit www.cookingupchange.org.

Real Food Is…2010 National Video Contest challenges students to define what real food means to them by creating a short video that completes the phrase "Real Food is..." Created by the National Farm to School Network and sponsored by the Lunch Box Project, this contest is open to K-12 and college students and runs until March 29, 2010. The winners will receive $1,000 and an all expenses paid trip to the conference to show their videos during the opening plenary. More info is available at video.farmtoschool.org.