Marion kids in grades kindergarten-grade eight a lesson in local agriculture

The Marion City Schools is the recipient of a $40,000 Grow Ohio grant to support programs providing agricultural education opportunities for youth.

It's one of 14 grants totaling $332,960 announced by Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen D. Dackin.

The district will provide educational activities to preK-8 students centered on local agriculture. Students will learn how to grow and prepare a variety of fresh produce in the classrooms using Growing Teachers Throughout the Seasons lesson plans developed by Ohio State Extension.

Elementary and middle school students will visit the district’s farm at Harding High School throughout the year to broaden their knowledge and learn about the agricultural education pathway the district offers.

Marion City Schools also will develop a Bring the Farm to You program series in which agricultural producers will visit classrooms to talk about food production opportunities such as maple sugaring and beekeeping. Books on farming, gardening, food and nutrition will be purchased for schools to provide literacy opportunities centered on farm to school topics.

“The programs supported by our Grow Ohio Grants will enrich the lives of children across Ohio,” said DeWine in a news release. “My wife, Fran, is passionate about teaching young people where their food comes from and how it gets to their plate, and these programs do just that − offering firsthand experience at the rewarding process of growing, harvesting and preparing fresh food."

Grant recipients will offer activities for children that support farm-to-school projects such as outdoor or indoor school gardening, hydroponics, collaboration with local food producers, and food literacy activities. Many of the awardees plan to incorporate food produced through their programs into school meals.

Additionally, the Grow Ohio Grants aim to create opportunities for students to gain knowledge of potential careers in agriculture and to increase relationships between Ohio food producers and child nutrition program sponsors.

This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Marion kids in grades kindergarten-grade eight a lesson in local agriculture