By Blake Jackson
Franklin County High School earned first place in the second annual School Garden Challenge at the Kentucky State Fair with an original squash soup recipe made primarily from ingredients grown in the school’s garden.
The competition encouraged students to take part in every stage of the food production process, from planting and harvesting to recipe development and presentation.
“With fall right around the corner, Franklin County High School picked the perfect recipe. These students took an idea from seed to table," Agriculture Commissioner Jonathan Shell said.
"They grew the food, developed their recipes, and worked together to bring it all to life. That kind of hands-on learning is what ag education is all about. Congratulations to Franklin County High School on a well-earned win,” Shell added.
The contest, organized by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture's Ag Education and Outreach Division, challenged schools to grow produce in school gardens and create an original squash-based dish for judging at the fair. Entries were evaluated on food safety, preparation methods, and students’ understanding of the recipe before advancing to a blind taste test.
Franklin County High School’s winning team included FFA members Adam AlHamdani, Gage Click, Makenzie Ratliff, and Gabby Roe, who created a soup featuring butternut squash, red bell pepper, and jalapeños.
"I enjoyed this contest because it was something different that we have never done before," Franklin County FFA team member Makenzie Ratliff said.
"It was a fun way for our team to be creative and step out of our comfort zones, especially cooking on the stage in front of that many people. Being an FFA officer and an advocate for agriculture, I enjoyed learning the process to not only grow our food at school but also cook it. We are already looking forward to next year's contest."
Second Street School finished second, while Bristow Elementary School placed third. State officials said the event highlights the value of agricultural education by helping students connect gardening, nutrition, teamwork, and food preparation through hands-on learning experiences.
Photo Credit: kentucky-agricultural-board
Categories: Kentucky, Education