What’s Growing On? February 2021 News from Grow Education

by Adam Davenport, Grow Education Program Manager

Winter has finally set in this February but this has not slowed down the Grow Education team!  Along with the farmers of the Southcoast region we have been ordering seeds and putting together our planting plans for spring.  These seeds will provide the opportunity for students to experience the life cycle of a plant, and what fresh tastes like.

For educational programming, February is a month for recording our Winter Presentations!  These presentations usually consist of a local farmer visit to each of our partnered schools.  Students get a chance to meet a farmer, share stories and ask amazing questions.  This year, virtually, we are able to give the students the opportunity to learn from two great food system partners; Ivory Silo Farm and Coastal Foodshed.  Stay tuned for more details, and your chance to watch these presentations next month!

Each month our Food Corps members are diligently working behind the scenes, keeping our Grow ‘motor’ running. Beyond leading weekly classes, over the past month Keri has been hard at work leading taste tests of seed bars from the local company 88 Acres.  These seed bars could be a great and healthy breakfast or snack for New Bedford students – we’ll see how they like them.  Mikaela has been creating educational materials for the weekly taste tests that students receive from the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.  From radishes to blood oranges, students get a fresh sample twice per week!  These programs are all a part of our Farm to School mission to provide students healthy, fresh and local foods that will fuel their health, creativity and focus.