People today are farther away from the farm than ever, so agricultural awareness is more important than ever. Children, especially don't know what it takes to get food to their grocery stores and on their tables. SC Ag Commissioner Hugh Weathers says that SCDA has partnered with Eat Smart, Move More South Carolina, a non-profit organization promoting healthy eating and active living through the state, and have established a School Gardens Program to encourage schoools to incorporate gardens on their campuses, healthy eating habits and agricultural appreciation into their school communities.
Weathers explains that SCDA's role has been to proved It's in the Garden mini-Grants to help schools start or improve a vegetable garden. This year, nine schools were each awarded a $1,000 grant and the grant recipients from the previous years were each awarded a $500 grant to continue their programs.
For teachers to learn more about the School Gardens Program they can visit www.agriculture.sc.gov and click on School Gardens Program. Also, a School Gardens Workshop for teachers is scheduled for the week of June 21st. More particulars on that will be announced soon.
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