Hi, my name is Jacob and I’m a fifth-grader at Belgrade Central School. I want to tell you a little bit about Farm to School.

Farm to School is an important concept because it teaches students how to farm. We learn how to plant certain types of seedlings in the most appropriate soil. Sometimes we have to make the soil more acidic to make our vegetables and fruit to grow. We learn how to weed and prune our plants so they grow more efficiently and have more space to grow.

We also learn a lot about the foods we grow and how good nutrition is important. We get to help our cafeteria ladies feed us better food. Our gardens at school provide natural ingredients for foods we cook in our cafeteria. Now we don’t have to eat as much processed food because of our Farm to School program students are asking their parents to buy locally grown produce. As a result I believe that farmers in Maine are making more money. My mom says that that we are supporting the Maine businesses.

We also are getting to bring vegetables in that are left over from home. Buying local food helps my mom and dad save on groceries. Our menu at home has became healthier — now instead of white potatoes we get purple potatoes and different varieties of other foods.

Being able to participate in this program has made me excited to go to school and learn in the environment that I enjoy. Farming is something that I enjoy because it helps our school, our community and our family.

Jacob L.

Belgrade

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