Press Contact
Shane Rogers
Communications and Development Coordinator
srogers@gmfts.org | 802-334-2044
For Immediate Release
GMFTS Plants School Gardens Across the Kingdom
For the past three weeks, Green Mountain Farm-to-School (GMFTS) has been helping schools plant school gardens across the Northeast Kingdom. Between farm-to-school and after-school programs, GMFTS helped to plant over 20 school gardens this spring which the students from the school will then harvest in the fall and be able to eat in their cafeteria.
“We know when kids are involved in planting and harvesting their own food, they are more likely to be adventurous eaters and try those new foods,” says Katherine Sims, executive direct for GMFTS.
The school garden plantings are facilitated by the six farm-to-school coordinators that serve with GMFTS as part of the AmeriCorps program. They each serve in multiple schools throughout the NEK and are responsible for planning, facilitating, and maintaining the school gardens in addition to conducting taste tests, lessons on nutrition and agriculture, and running after school programs throughout the rest of the year.
“The kids love being able to get their hands dirty and it’s a great learning experience that touches on the nutrition and agriculture lessons we did in the classroom over winter,” says Maire Folan, farm-to-school program manager with GMFTS, “It’s an incredibly busy and rewarding time of year.”
Farm-to-school coordinators are also using the end of the school year to recruit volunteers to help maintain and harvest the gardens over the summer. There will be several community volunteer days and all community members are encouraged to visit the gardens, help out, and take home some fresh vegetables any time during the summer. For more information on volunteering contact: Maire Folan at mfolan@gmfts.org
2016 School Garden Community Work Days
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