August {Watermelon}

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.