Video: Students Learn About Farming, Harvesting And Free Enterprise Through Unique Grant

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – While Food Corps Volunteer Amanda Huells was showing the Carver Cubs how to pick Kale, others were taste testing the freshly harvested produce.
Students began working on a community garden in the school’s courtyard, back in September.

“We are learning that healthy foods are fun to eat,” said Carolyn Beasley, who is the PE teacher at Carver. She wrote a grant for a long term, hands on activity and submitted it to the Association for Excellence in Education.

“The grant is called ‘Dig In.” Dig in to science, math and art,” Beasley said.

All three subjects are covered in the project. Students learn about science involved in planting and harvesting produce, they are taught about symmetry and they are also exposed to economics.Local restaurantspurchase the produce and use it to feed hungry customers.

“I think it’s amazing, buying locally and buying fresh, it’s not only nutritious, but then again you’re supporting your community and it’s a massive circle and cycle that people need to get into,” said Mitch McCamey, of Neon Pig and Kermit’s Outlaw Kitchen, which purchased some of the kale.

“It’s neat to see something we read on paper, and believed in and thought was a great idea, to see it come to life, and to see it come to life in such a vivid way, is really heartwarming and encouraging,” said Tricia Edmondson, of AEE.

Money collected from the sale of produce will buy more vegetables so all of the school’s students can enjoy the healthy foods.