The mission of the Salmon School Garden Project (SSGP) is to develop a school-based garden and corresponding Farm- to-School program, fully integrated into the Salmon School District’s long term learning environment. More than just planting a few vegetables, this project is designed to grow into a dynamic program, connecting students to their food, their community and to local agriculture. At the
heart of this project is a school-based garden and corresponding multi-disciplinary K-12 educational program. This is a program designed to build a local food network that provides access to healthy, affordable food for students and families, faculty/staff, and the Salmon community. It will not only teach students the art and science of growing and preparing nutritious food for themselves and for the school lunch program, but will also serve as an educational tool to increase student knowledge, skills, and opportunities for healthy eating behaviors, community food and wellness issues and sustainable agriculture. It will be an incubator for student-led community and research projects, small business innovation and mentorship for new/ beginning farmers in the region. Let us count the reasons:
1. It makes economic sense. A thriving Farm to School program can bring literally millions of dollars to the Salmon School District. The USDA offers millions of dollars in grants that fund all aspects of Farm to School programs. In addition, a long list of private and corporate foundations want to fund proposals that cover many of our most outstanding needs: nutrition, food security, poverty, sustainable agriculture and the environment. The Salmon School District has another advantage when it comes to funding. The state of Vermont (at the top of the educational ladder) started their Farm-to-School network over 12 years ago. Despite Idaho’s agricultural roots, our state has been painfully slow to participate in the Farm to School movement. Yet, if our project momentum continues, we are confident that the Salmon School District can quickly become THE premier Farm to School program in Idaho.
2. It makes educational sense. Research shows that involvement in a school garden project and associated curricula is accompanied by improved academic achievement, school participation, and healthy eating behaviors. Other programs around the country have designed curricula for every grade and every subject. This summer, with the help of teachers, we will research and select multi-disciplinary K-12 curricula for our district.
3. It makes cultural sense : Lemhi County’s agricultural roots run deep, yet our students and a shocking number of our adults know little about where their food comes from OR how to prepare it. Over 65 % of our students are food insecure and Lemhi County ranks LAST in community food security in the State of Idaho. Research shows that when kids grow and then prepare their own food, they will eat it.
4. Community unity-- It makes sense: The SSGP is a school project that old timers, active community leaders, long-time residents and newcomers alike can embrace. It provides back-to-basics, hands-on, down-to-earth learning that integrates well with today’s education standards. This project has the ability to foster positive community partnerships, relationships and interactions which would be highly beneficial for our District.
