By Blake Jackson
In celebration of 'Farm to School Week,' students from Bowling Green Independent School are embarking on their annual field trips to Need More Acres farm in Scottsville. This educational initiative allows students to gain insights into nutritious food and explore potential careers in farming.
For the past four years, the district has been organizing these field trips, and students eagerly anticipate the opportunity each year. Dalla Emerson, the district's director of food service operations, emphasizes the positive impact of these outings. She notes that it's the "best day of the year" for the students, as they spend the day outdoors, learning, asking questions, and having fun.
Beyond the educational benefits of understanding locally grown produce and nutrition, Need More Acres farm provides students with the opportunity to witness a promising future in farming. The farm offers a high school co-op program, allowing high school students to work on the farm. This firsthand experience exposes them to potential careers in agriculture, inspiring young minds to consider farming as a future vocation.
Michelle Howell, a farmer at Need More Acres, emphasizes the significance of educational tours for young people, stating that they find the experience inspiring. The hope is that some of the visiting students will contemplate a career in farming down the road.
Each year, the farm introduces a new theme for the students' tours. In the past, these themes have ranged from meal kits to fall and winter harvests. This year, the focus is on the color purple, a nod to the students' identity as the Bowling Green Purples. The farm aims to make the visit enjoyable by surprising the kids with experiences related to the color purple. Students will have the chance to sample raisin cookies from the vineyard, witness the transformation of sheep wool into purple yarn, and learn fascinating facts about turnips, including their historical use for making jack-o-lanterns.
The field trips are not limited to a single school or class. Students from various classes and schools across the district will have the opportunity to visit Need More Acres farm throughout the week. This initiative not only enhances students' understanding of food sources and nutrition but also fosters an appreciation for farming as a potential career path, all while providing a memorable and enjoyable experience.
Photo Credit: istock-dusanpetkovic
Categories: Kentucky, Education