Farm-to-School programs growing in local districts

LATHAM, N.Y. (NEWS10) -The State Department of Agriculture and Markets announced more than $1.5 million in funding will be granted to 16 Farm-to-School programs. NEWS10's Anthony Krolikowski went to Boght Hills Elementary School to learn how the North Colonie District plans to use its money.

Kindergarteners were brought outside to their community garden ready to plant some new crops: garlic and carrots. "This is what we always plant in the fall time. It will grow over the winter and come up first thing in the spring," said John Barker, Founder and Director of Agriculture at Forts Ferry Farm.

Farm-to-School has been a program for a couple of years at Boght Hills. What’s being grown there will one day spread to the entire district thanks to a $99,346 grant.

"It will allow us to really see the local food end up in the cafeteria, which is a big part of it," described Amber Cost, Farm-to-School District Facilitator. "But also allow us to bring students to farms, bring those farmers into the school, bring lessons like this into the classroom."

So far, growing a variety of crops has been a success with the students, especially eating them.

"This month was apples. So, we’re doing an apple coleslaw in the cafeteria with some fresh dill right from our garden at the high school and next month it's going to be Brussels sprouts," explained Alex Clements, Assistant Director of North Colonie Central Schools,

Cost hopes that the biggest takeaway from the program is that agriculture is a profession they can pursue. "There are so many different careers and so many different job opportunities that people may not be aware of so introducing students to that as early as possible could really help out our kids."

State Agriculture Commissioner, Richard Ball, sent NEWS10 the following statement:

"In New York State, we’re lucky to have some of the highest quality agricultural producers in the world. New York State’s Farm-to-School program has been instrumental in helping schools source products locally, making it easier for them to increase the use of New York grown foods straight from the farm. Sourcing school meals directly from local farmers not only supports our agricultural economy and boosts our young peoples’ nutritional intake, but it also offers our students an opportunity to learn from a young age where – and who – their food comes from. I’m thrilled to see North Colonie Central School District receive funding from our Farm-to-School initiative that will help them build out their program and help introduce more young New Yorkers to our state’s thriving agricultural industry."