Thanks to a heads-up from the Florida Department of Agriculture and some assistance from Localecopia, we were able to buy peaches from Farmer Jeff Sizemore of Sizemore Farms near Plant City.
It was interesting to learn about the development of peaches that will grow well in Florida (thanks University of Florida!) from Jeff and about the farm his great-grandfather started in the early 1900s.
They were a great addition to the lunch line and a real hit with the students.
Just yesterday, you were a tiny seed.
Late October 2016
We loved watching you grow.
December 2016
You have given hundreds of students a taste of fresh kale salad and tasty cooked collards.
You made our little farm look lush and beautiful all winter long.
February 2017
Right into Spring!
April 2017
It was a great season, beautiful greens! We plan to see you again in the Fall.
Big thanks to Brandi, our intrepid Garden Training Coordinator for leading the students to make this happen!
It was a beautiful day! And it was an opportunity to showcase what we have been up to at the Farm to School to Work Hub.
During the farm tour, Brandi – our garden training coordinator – shared how we keep squirrels and other critters out of our school gardens.
And we got to show off the new orchard!
Blueberries, blackberries, figs, satsumas, and persimmons
GET students sold transplants.
Volunteer Bart, Teacher Crystal, and student David
Some of the plants came in beautiful hand-painted pots
There was an egg hunt.
Students hid prizes in the eggs
One of the prizes was a “Tater Tat” veggie tattoo
Real farmers visited and signed their trading cards.
Laray Thompson, of Thompson Vineyard and Nursery, grew Muscadine grapes for our very first Harvest of the Month
Nando Roberts, of Santa Fe Organics, grows our kale for kale salads
Some of our community partners offered a taste of their talents and contributions to the Hub.
Michelle of Fat Tuscan made fresh chocolate crepes
Melissa of Forage Farms helped visitors explore seeds
Beautiful music by Florida Pure and Simple added so much to the day
A delicious farm to school lunch featuring student-grown produce was provided by the Food and Nutrition department.
The Grow Hub shared their visions for future jobs for adults with disabilities – a much needed spin-off of the work we are doing with students in transition.
Some of the board of the Grow Hub – Growing Real Opportunities for Work
It was wonderful to share the great work students have been doing with the help of so many partners.
We were all ready for a nap by the end of the day.
Our Kitchen Training Coordinator, Daniel, takes a much-deserved break amongst the huge collards
