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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Veggies, Enthusiasm Sprout in School Gardens Statewide

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Friday, January 10, 2014   

SALEM, Ore. – People who are growing food at their schools – and those who want to – meet near Salem on Monday for Oregon's first School Garden Summit.

The trend is part of the Farm to School movement that seeks to improve cafeteria cuisine with nutritious, locally grown foods while at the same time, showing children where their food comes from.

Kasandra Griffin, Food and School Health policy manager with Upstream Public Health, a summit co-sponsor, says it's also making children healthier and more adventurous diners – no matter how big or small the harvest.

"The thing about school gardens is that they are where the magic happens,” she says. “And if you can harvest 20 leaves of kale and put that into a mixed green salad in the cafeteria, kids will be excited about that salad because they grew part of it."

About 500 schools across Oregon have their own gardens, and more are interested. Rick Sherman, the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) Farm to School and School Garden coordinator, says every school handles its gardening project a little differently.

One built-in challenge is that Mother Nature's growing cycle just doesn't jibe with the standard school year, and there are other logistics to be worked out.

"What happens to the food?” asks Sherman. “Do you water, do you weed in the winter? Do you have parent volunteers take over? There's concern sometimes about serving foods safely in the cafeteria.

"Now that we have them plugged into the Farm to School/School Garden Network," he adds, "there's going to be opportunities for them to get help."

Griffin maintains the benefits of gardening at school reach beyond the lunchroom and into the classroom in many ways.

"It's really good for math and science,” she says. “It's good for writing projects. It's good for history projects, because people all around the world, throughout history, have grown food. It's a good way to get kids up and out of their seats, having active engagement in their learning, and thinking comprehensively."

The School Garden Summit is full, but some of the presentations and information will be posted on ODE's Farm to School Web page.



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