KALISPELL, Mont.—The Montana Farm to School Network (MFSN) programs and Bob the Greenhouse Bus project are teaching children in K–12 about local foods, gardening, and the connections between the food they eat and the larger community.
The MFSN has programs all over the state. Most are funded with grants from local businesses. MFSN is part of the National Farm to School Network (NFSN), which spans all 50 states. The network has grown from only a handful of schools in the late 1990s in two states to over 2,000 programs spanning all 50 states.
The programs provide fresh, locally grown food and hands-on educational experiences to help children discover the source of their food. They are based on the premise that children who have hands-on experiences in growing food, will be more likely to develop healthy eating habits that could last throughout their lives, which may in turn help prevent obesity and childhood diseases.
According to Aubree Durfey, spokesperson for the programs in Montana, schools are working with farmers to deliver fresh foods to serve in the cafeteria. The children not only taste this fresh food, but also learn to grow their own food. “The schools have smaller gardens to educate children with hands-on experience to learn the techniques of successful vegetable gardens, composting, and are getting creative in teaching children the benefits of eating more locally grown food. In addition to gardening, they are also working with ranchers to provide locally grown beef in their school cafeterias,” said Durfey.
In a recent statement Anupama Joshi, program director of NFSN said, “Farm to School is ultimately about relationships, restoring the connection between children, community, and farmers.”
The MFSN has programs all over the state. Most are funded with grants from local businesses. MFSN is part of the National Farm to School Network (NFSN), which spans all 50 states. The network has grown from only a handful of schools in the late 1990s in two states to over 2,000 programs spanning all 50 states.
The programs provide fresh, locally grown food and hands-on educational experiences to help children discover the source of their food. They are based on the premise that children who have hands-on experiences in growing food, will be more likely to develop healthy eating habits that could last throughout their lives, which may in turn help prevent obesity and childhood diseases.
According to Aubree Durfey, spokesperson for the programs in Montana, schools are working with farmers to deliver fresh foods to serve in the cafeteria. The children not only taste this fresh food, but also learn to grow their own food. “The schools have smaller gardens to educate children with hands-on experience to learn the techniques of successful vegetable gardens, composting, and are getting creative in teaching children the benefits of eating more locally grown food. In addition to gardening, they are also working with ranchers to provide locally grown beef in their school cafeterias,” said Durfey.
In a recent statement Anupama Joshi, program director of NFSN said, “Farm to School is ultimately about relationships, restoring the connection between children, community, and farmers.”
Bob the Greenhouse Bus
Another popular community program in Montana, teaching kids about growing food is the Bozeman Youth Greenhouse Bus project, which is supported by the Bozeman Youth Initiative. Bob the Greenhouse Bus travels to different schools in and around Bozeman, Mont., to teach children the basics of composting and gardening. In addition to vegetables, the bus houses a variety of native plants that have been important to Native American tribes of the region.
Cynthia Logan, managing editor of BoZone.com, who sponsors the greenhouse bus project said, “In some cases students who actually planted the seeds will take them home to transplant. If they need help they have garden volunteers who come to their home, and with their parents permission, … help create a garden at their home.”
Last year, kids who experienced the mobile greenhouse suggested the bus grow a pizza garden and so the crew and the children together grew basil, tomatoes, spinach, and other edibles, and had a pizza party at the end of the season to enjoy their harvest.
One of the strengths of the project is that it has brought together the entire youth community from kindergarten through college. Everyone works together; college students mentor high school students who in turn mentor younger students. The local engineering students from Montana State University in Bozeman designed the bus, which took about seven months to build. High school students and volunteers in the community run the lively colored bus and teach the children.
With programs that are part of the MFSN and projects like the Bozeman Youth Greenhouse Bus, students develop a closer connection with their food and local agriculture. Linking nutrition education with the lunchroom, the school garden and local farmers, benefits not only the students involved, but provides a win-win-win for schools, farmers, and the community.
Cynthia Logan, managing editor of BoZone.com, who sponsors the greenhouse bus project said, “In some cases students who actually planted the seeds will take them home to transplant. If they need help they have garden volunteers who come to their home, and with their parents permission, … help create a garden at their home.”
Last year, kids who experienced the mobile greenhouse suggested the bus grow a pizza garden and so the crew and the children together grew basil, tomatoes, spinach, and other edibles, and had a pizza party at the end of the season to enjoy their harvest.
One of the strengths of the project is that it has brought together the entire youth community from kindergarten through college. Everyone works together; college students mentor high school students who in turn mentor younger students. The local engineering students from Montana State University in Bozeman designed the bus, which took about seven months to build. High school students and volunteers in the community run the lively colored bus and teach the children.
With programs that are part of the MFSN and projects like the Bozeman Youth Greenhouse Bus, students develop a closer connection with their food and local agriculture. Linking nutrition education with the lunchroom, the school garden and local farmers, benefits not only the students involved, but provides a win-win-win for schools, farmers, and the community.
Friends Read Free