Agriculture Programs Enhancing Interest as a Career Field

A recent article published in the Scripps News discussed students who were interested in pursing a career in agriculture because of programming at their schools.  An Anderson County student told reporters that she is settled on working with cattle since she enrolled in agriculture classes in high school and her membership with FFA (Future Farmers of America).

The SC Farm to School program is a key component in encouraging students to continue their studies in agriculture so they can be a part of the next farming generation.  To learn more about the Farm to School program, visit their website or visit their facebook or twitter pages.  There is also a great documentary on the program.

A Special School Program

Williams Middle School enjoyed a recent visit to Ovis Hill Farms. The schedule was tight and brisk but 125 seventh and eighth graders were able to rotate through teaching stations while learning, observing and experiencing food production.  Half the group boarded wagons to observe livestock and visited vegetable production. The other half rotated through a "mock market" scavenger hunt to find different real foods for a healthy diet while others participated in a food preparation station and prepared and sampled a delicious veggie and whole grain dish. Not only were the students very well behaved and seemed interested in the presentations, but later in the afternoon an email was received with wonderful feedback on the group.  The students and adults couldn't stop talking about what a great experience they had!

Learn more about Ovis Hill Farms.

Carolina Children's Garden Event

Family Nature Hike

April 27, 2012

4:00

All ages welcome

Cost: $2.00 per person

Come explore the fields, woods, and lake near the Carolina Children's Garden. Learn to identify some common trees. Observe the life cycles of plants and animals that live in our area.

To sign up for this event email or call Tim Nafziger at carolinachildrensgarden@gmail.com or 803.459.3212.

Carolina Children's Garden Event

Water Quality

April 24, 2012

4:00

Children Ages 7-11

Why should we be wise about water? Learn about water quality, explore aquatic habitats, and examine some of the creatures that call our state's waterways "home."

To sign up for this event email or call Tim Nafziger at carolinachildrensgarden@gmail.com or 803.459.3212.

Best Practices for serving Safe Produce from the School Garden

Here's a great resource put together by National Farm to School offering general guidance on harvesting and handling produce from the garden in a safe manner, before serving it for tasting :)  http://www.farmtoschool.org/files/publications_188.pdf

School Gardens Teach More Than Just Agriculture

Teachers at a school in North Charleston are finding ways to incorporate Math and Science into their garden curriculum.  WCSC in Charleston posted a great clip to show how these students are enhancing their Math and Science skills through activities in their school garden. Teachers are pleased with the outcome and say the students have enjoyed learning through hands on activities outside. Math and Science were both critical areas at this school and this is a unique way to help increase these subjects.  So far, it has been very successful!

SC Farm to School Garden Newsletter: April Edition

Visit the South Carolina Farm to School Website to read the April Edition of the Farm to School Newsletter.  This is a great way to stay up to date with our Farm to School program and to see what our coordinators are doing across the state with SC schools and their schools garden programs.

Also, make sure you see the information about the SC Farm to School photo contest under the promotions and incentives tab! The deadline is May 1, 2012.