ALBANY — Integrating of food, agriculture, and nutrition in schools is made easy, relevant and successful for teachers with New York Agriculture in the Classroom’s investment of $70,000 in the second annual Grow with Us Grant. Twenty-one indoor grow systems were awarded to urban, rural, and suburban schools across the state. The goal of New York Agriculture in the Classroom’s Grow with Us Grant is to provide teachers the vehicle and tools to facilitate experiential-learning opportunities using agriculture as the context for learning through growing food during the entire school year. These grow systems create authentic learning opportunities and allow students to interact with growing food, even during the coldest months of the year.
Students harvesting from one of their Tower Gardens. (Courtesy Photo)Grow with Us Grant recipients were awarded one of two available grow systems: the 2445 Organics SuperGrow System or a Tower Garden System. Schools were awarded the grow system that best met their educational goals, classroom space needs, experience level in school gardening, and curriculum integration. The grow systems provided by the Grow with Us Grant will help raise teachers’ and students’ agricultural awareness by making connections to food, farming, and nutrition. The systems serve as “garden classrooms” where food-based learning is integrated with math, science, language arts, and social studies, helping teachers meet core curriculum requirements. In addition, recipients will receive educational resources, workshop opportunities, and access to a growing network of school food gardeners throughout the state.
Out of forty-seven total submissions, ten educators were awarded with 2445 Organics SuperGrow Systems and eleven educators were awarded with Tower Garden Systems. Plans for the awarded grow systems include growing vegetables to make into soup and salads that will be sold to school staff, helping students make healthier food choices, providing growing space for schools primarily surrounded by pavement, making crosscurricular connections to all areas of study, and more. Over 7,200 students will have the chance to interact with these systems and learn firsthand the connection of agriculture to their everyday lives.
Morristown student checking on one of their 2445 Orgaincs systems. (Courtesy Photo)2445 Organics SuperGrow Systems Recipients:
Stephen Yesko, Martin Luther School-Maspeth, New York
Juliet Boone, F.D. Roosevelt High School- Staatsburg, New York
Tammi Christensen, P.S. 177- Brooklyn, New York
Zachary Makuch, Copenhagen Central School- Copenhagen, New York
Desiree Freeman, P.S. 11 Purvis Behan Elementary School- Brooklyn New York
Irene Martinez, Patrick F. Daly School- Brooklyn, New York
James Franciamore, P.S. 114- Brooklyn, New York
Jess Santiago-Sterzinar, P176X at Truaman High School- Bronx, New York
Julie D’Agostino, Kendall Elementary- Kendall, New York
Jodi LaGarry, Massena Central- Massena, New York
Tower Garden Recipients:
Darlene Bissonette, Brasher Falls Central School- Brasher Falls, New York
Ashley Brunelle, Tully Jr./Sr. High School- Tully, New York
Lydia Aris-Brown, Truxton Academy Charter School- Truxton, New York
Matthew Sarker, The Bronx High School of Science- Bronx, New York
Kristin Stoll, Cattaraugus-Little Valley Central School- Cattaraugus, New York
Norman Glover, Portville Central School- Portville, New York
Josh Gray, Sidney Elementary School- Sidney, New York
Shannon DelloStritto, Casey Park Elementary- Auburn, New York
Patricia Eshelman, Bolivar Richburg Central School- Bolivar, New York
Kerry Ike, Horseheads Intermediate School- Horseheads, New York
Kelly Warwick, Windsor High School- Windsor, New York
For more information about the Grow with Us Grant, visit the New York Agriculture in the Classroom website at www.agclassroom.org/ny. New York Agriculture in the Classroom is a partnership of Cornell University, NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets, NYS Education Department, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and NY Farm Bureau. New York Agriculture in the Classroom fosters an awareness, understanding, and appreciation of our food and fiber system.
–New York Agriculture in the Classroom
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