The annual Arkansas Grown School Garden of the Year contest aims to highlight the importance of youth participation in the production and cultivation of fresh food.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – It’s time for the annual Arkansas Grown School Garden of the Year contest! Sign up for the contest they are open now until June 14th.
The program aims to highlight the importance of youth participation in the production and culture of fresh food.
Applicants can be any school, early childhood education facility, or alternative learning environment that had a school garden during the 2023-2024 school year or plans to start one in the 2024 school year -2025.
“School gardens are valuable educational tools that help students develop healthy eating habits, participate in hands-on activities, and learn about Arkansas agriculture,” said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward. “We are grateful for Farm Credit’s generosity and their continued support of this program.”
Winners will be announced in the fall of 2024 for the following categories:
- Best Start-Up School Garden Proposal – $500 Award
- Best Education-Based School Garden – $500 Award
- Best Harvest Partnership School Garden – $500 Award
- Best Community Collaboration School Garden – $500 Award
- Best Overall School Garden – $1,000 Award
- School Garden Sustainability Champion – $1,000 Award
“As a cooperative of farmers, we are excited to continue our support for teachers and projects that engage Arkansas students in food production and agricultural sustainability. Through these partnerships, we can ensure that the valuable role of Arkansas agriculture remains top of mind for the next generation,” said Farm Credit of Western Arkansas President and CEO Brandon Haberer on behalf of the Farm Credit Associations of the Arkansas.
To learn more about the Arkansas Grown School Garden of the Year Contest, visit their website here gold contact jessica.chapman@agriculture.arkansas.gov.
