South Elementary receives grant money for gardening

Sumer Russell, a Stephens County Texas A & M AgriLife Family Community Health Extension agent and 100 third grade students from Breckenridge South Elementary are jumping for joy that Stephens County was selected to receive the Texas Farm Bureau, “Learning From the Ground Up” garden grant of $500.

“Through this grant the school also had the opportunity to form a partnership with local Stephens County Texas Farm Bureau with them matching the grant of $500, said Russell. “That is a total of $1,000 for our South Elementary school garden program “Learn Grow Eat Go.”

The goal of a school garden is to provide a “hands on” group and individual learning experiences that will encourage a love of gardening and the development of an appreciation for agriculture. Through this interdisciplinary program students absorb; academic achievement, gardening and agriculture awareness, nutrient-dense food experiences, physical activity and school and family engagement. Youth gardening project have been shown to help increase children’s self-esteem while also helping them develop a stronger sense of ownership and responsibility.

Agent Russell stated, “Overall, from this program we are striving to “grow” good kids that are vegetable loving, agriculture advocates.”