What’s Growing On? August 2021 News from Grow Southcoast

NB Teachers — Nate Sander of Round the Bend Farm giving weeding instructions.

by: Adam Davenport, Grow Education Manager

Grow Education is excited to welcome the second cohort of teachers to our Farm to School crew! Last week, 21 third-grade teachers from New Bedford Public Schools attended a Professional Development workshop we hosted at Round the Bend Farm in South Dartmouth, MA. This farm-based educational experience supported teachers in understanding the many facets of the Farm to School project, curriculum, and how to use their school-based gardens as outdoor classrooms. The schools participating in this year’s programming include: Rodman, Carney, Pulaski, Swift, Ashley and Brooks elementary schools.

The day consisted of delicious farm to table food, crafted by Chef Shaun – an experience we soon hope to recreate in school cafeterias in partnership with the NBPS Food Service Department, along with guided lesson planning, and experiential farm activities for the teachers. Each teacher’s class will be further supported by Grow Education throughout the school-year with fall and spring garden plantings, winter presentations, and fresh fruit and vegetable taste tests in the classrooms.

This is an integral part of the entire Farm to School project in which New Bedford’s Food Service Department is working towards a ‘speed-scratch’ cooked menu. This means a fresher, healthier, and more delicious dining experience for the youth of New Bedford. If you live in New Bedford and have ideas or suggestions that you would like to see on your student’s school menu, we would love to hear from you directly – email us at grow@marioninstitute.org.