Our farm-to-school partnership had begun when we were
selling watermelon to the Bowling Green City schools several years before, so that seemed like the perfect place to start. We were invited to attend the school’s Back to School Bash, give out samples of watermelon and get to know the community. It was an exciting time as we shared the wide variety of fruits and vegetables grown on our farm. When school starts, watermelons are one of the first items on the menu in the school cafeteria. It is the perfect way for kids to quench their thirst and replenish electrolytes during the summer heat. One of the first things we noticed after moving to Allen County in 2014 was that the school system here was already doing an excellent job including fruits and vegetables on the menu in their lunchrooms. They were also sourcing some of those items through local farmers. After connecting to professionals working at the extension office, health department and school systems, we were excited to jump in and get involved any way we could. We grew our first plot of watermelon with friends with whom we worshiped. The funds would benefit our friends Justin and Ashley who were serving in Honduras. After the side of the road sales weren’t as successful as we had hoped, the food service director for the Bowling Green City schools offered to purchase them. Having been on the other side helping farmers connect farm to school, we found ourselves with an excellent opportunity to continue supplying the school with fresh food. Watermelon is an excellent crop for farmers interested in wholesale because it can be pushed to the end of the season and has a longer shelf life after harvest. Many of the other favorite fruits and vegetables—like sweet corn, tomatoes, and peppers—are less predictable and more challenging to fit into the school calendar. Thankfully, both the Bowling Green City and Allen County schools have worked with us to creatively introduce the vegetables that are grown year-round on our farm. Many of the beautiful watercolors you see in this book were painted by our friends Jenna and Dacia for our farm-to-school projects. It’s been an excellent way for our farm to promote and expand the nutritious greens and roots grown during fall, winter and spring months across Kentucky.
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YEAR ON THE FARMStories, recipes, and lessons learned on our farm and in community here in South Central Kentucky. Archives
December 2019
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