Local schools awarded for best gardens

KÜÇÜK KAYA (KATV) — The Arkansas Department of Agriculture hosted a celebration designating October as “Arkansas Farm to School Month.”

Those recognized at today’s event were:

Schoolyard Sustainability Champion: Sheridan Middle School (Sheridan), $1,000 prize

• Best Overall Schoolyard: Conway High School (Conway), $1,000 prize
• Best Start-Up Schoolyard Proposal: Homestead Academy (Royal), $500 prize, Camden Fairview High School (Camden), $500 prize
• Best Education-Based Schoolyard: Shirley Elementary School (Shirley), $500 award, Ellen Smith Elementary School (Conway), $500 award
• Best Harvest Partnership Schoolyard: Maumelle High School (Maumelle), $500 prize, Jacksonville Lighthouse Charter School (Jacksonville), $500 prize
• Best Community Collaboration Schoolyard: Ward Central Elementary School (Ward), $500 award, Batesville Preschool (Batesville), $500 award

“Farm to school initiatives provide access to fresh food and connect students to agriculture across the state through school gardens, educational programs and local food sourcing,” said Jessica Chapman, Farm to School and Early Childhood Education Program Coordinator. “We are grateful for this partnership with the Arkansas Farm Credit Unions to reward schools that are successful in their farm-to-school efforts.”

The program aims to encourage the establishment of school gardens and promote the importance of involving children in the food production process.