For more information:
Cheri Long, Program Coordinator
May 2, 2022
First Annual Statewide School Garden Contest Launches
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Team are excited to announce the launch of the first annual school garden contest for Oklahoma. Applications opened on May 1st for any public or private PK-12 school, early childhood education facility, and alternative learning environment to participate. The deadline to enter is Sunday, June 15, 2022 at 11:50 p.m.
“School gardens are living laboratories that create teaching opportunities for nutrition, agriculture, and experiential education across all disciplines,” said Cheri Long, ODAFF Farm to School Coordinator. “Gardening helps children discover where food comes from and helps develop healthy eating habits. Research also shows when a student plants a seed, they are more likely to taste and try the food when it is ready to harvest.”
Gardens can be an indoor herb garden in a windowsill of a classroom, outdoor raised beds, in-ground farms, or even a greenhouse. There will be five categories for awards: Best Overall School Garden, Best Eduaction-Based School Garden, Best Harvest Partnership School Garden, Best Community Collaboration School Garden and Best Start-Up School Garden Proposal. Winners will be chosen between August 31 and September 6. Winners will be announced in September 15 and will be notified by email and phone call.
You can find more information about the categories of the contest to see how your garden qualifies and the Google Form application for the contest on the Oklahoma Farm to School website: www.okfarmtoschool.com. For additional questions, contact Cheri Long at cheri.long@ag.ok.gov.
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