TAYLOR, Mich. – Students at Blair Moody Elementary School in Taylor are growing, eating and selling vegetables and herbs as they make use of the school’s newly built greenhouse, according to reports in The News Herald and at the city Web site.
Youngsters planted such fare as chives, Bennett lettuce and Buttercrunch lettuce in February, The News Herald reported, and planned to eat some of their yield as well as sell some to a local restaurant.
Students also decorated patio blocks to be used as the floor of the “hoop house,” a standalone greenhouse, according to both reports, and various local businesses donated materials.
The city reported that funding for the greenhouse came in the form of a “Building Healthy Communities Grant” from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. The grants are intended to support programs that address childhood health, particularly physical fitness and nutrition.
SOURCES:
The News Herald, “Taylor: Elementary students grow herbs, sell to local restaurant,” Feb. 13, 2009
City of Taylor, “Blues grant helps ‘green’ Taylor elementary school,” May 13, 2009
FURTHER READING:
Michigan Education Report, “It’s hard, but it’s fun,” July 15, 2008
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