ODAFF - Oklahoma Department of Agriculture Food and Forestry

09/06/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/06/2024 08:29

2024 Oklahoma Farm to School Garden Contest Winners Announced

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For more information:
Kirsten Hollansworth, Public Engagement Specialist
[email protected] | 405.862.8496

September 6, 2024

2024 Oklahoma Farm to School Garden Contest Winners Announced

OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry recently announced the five winners of the third annual Oklahoma Farm to School Garden Contest.

The contest, sponsored by the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Women's Leadership Team, was open to all public or private PK-12 schools, early childhood education facilities and alternative learning environments.

Below are the 2024 Category Winners:

  • Best Startup Garden: The Nest by Scissortail, Lawton
  • Best Community Collaboration School Garden: Lincoln Alternative Academy, Stillwater
  • Best Harvest School Garden: Unity Learning Academy, Tulsa
  • Best Education-Based Garden: Monroe Elementary School, Enid
  • Best Pollinator School Garden: Redbud Farm School, Oklahoma City

"School gardens are living laboratories that create invaluable teaching opportunities for nutrition, agriculture, and experiential education across all disciplines," said Oklahoma Farm to School Coordinator Alex Cox. "Through gardening, children learn the origins of their food and cultivate healthy eating habits."

Lincoln Alternative Academy in Stillwater, Oklahoma, is starting a school garden with collaboration from various stakeholders including Oklahoma State University and Our Daily Bread Food and Resource Center.

The faculty at Lincoln Alternative Academy were presented with a check from the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Women's Leadership Team on Sept. 4.

"Our garden and greenhouse will grow vegetables and flowers to help our students understand the process of where our food comes from," said principal George Horton. "As a part of this award, our students will also tour local gardens and farms to see how agriculture education connects to our community. We are excited about the learning opportunities for our Lincoln students and appreciate the support from our agriculture community."

The additional category winners will receive their awards at a later date.

Applications for the next Oklahoma Farm to School Garden Contest will open on April 15, 2025. For more information about the contest, contact Oklahoma Farm to School Coordinator Alex Cox at [email protected].

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