The “Feed the Hungry” Project that is being piloted by a Schoharie Elementary third grade class, is under way. The purpose of the program is to expand students’ knowledge of the agricultural food and fiber system by observing how plants and food are grown, and how the end result can be a delicious and nutritious food choice.

Richard Ball, owner of the Carrot Barn in Schoharie and the program farm partner, hosted the class and treated them to a lesson as he planted squash seeds with the students. Each student was then given an ID stick that was to be transplanted with the seedling as it grew to maturity so they will be able to identify their very own plant.

This fall, the students will then harvest their crop and make a donation to the Food Bank, plus learn about creating delicious vegetable dishes from their squash, as well as the nutritional concepts for a healthy diet. An official banner will be hung at the Carrot Barn, denoting the project and reminding the community about the project.

Five partnering organizations sponsor and support this project. They include: New York Farm Bureau, New York Farm Bureau Foundation, NYS Agricultural Society, Cornell Agriculture Outreach and Education, which includes Ag in the Classroom and FFA.