ATHENS, Ga. — Clarke County’s school nutritionist, Paula Farmer, traveled to the state Capitol earlier this month to collect a Golden Radish Award. The prestigious award recognizes outstanding leadership in the national Farm to School program, and Clarke County was one of 30 school districts in the state to receive it.
The farm-to-school movement began in the 1990s, as people across the country became increasingly interested in strengthening local economies through support of local farmers. As farmers markets proliferated and farm-to-table restaurants popped up, some parents looked for ways to bring fresh, local food to their kids’ cafeterias. In 2007, the National Farm to School Network formed, connecting schools interested in the idea with the resources to implement and improve their farm to school programs.
With many people in the community interested in the health of local children and the local economy, the farm-to-school effort in Athens began soon after the national network formed.
“In Clarke County, the farm-to-school program started about seven years ago as a result of local farmers, parents and other community stakeholders wanting to incorporate locally grown food in school meals,” Farmer says. “It has been a collaborative effort.”
The program has grown and improved every year since. It is also no longer limited to local food popping up on the lunch line; students have new opportunities to get involved with agriculture. All 21 schools in the Clarke County School District have edible gardens, which function as outdoor classrooms.
“Edible gardens are great ways to teach children about how food grows and make excellent learning labs,” Farmer says. “Our students are experiencing firsthand where foods come from and how to grow it. A school garden is a powerful environmental education tool.”
The farm-to-school program in the county has also helped teachers include nutrition and agriculture in the curriculum. Garden-based