For more information: 

Cheri Long, Program Coordinator 
Cheri.long@ag.ok.gov 

First Annual Statewide School Garden Contest Results Announced 

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry and the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee are excited to announce the results of the first annual school garden contest for Oklahoma. 

“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.” 

School gardens entered in the contest came in many shapes and sizes: from outdoor raised beds to in-ground farms and greenhouses. The contest was sponsored by the Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee. 

The award results are as follows: 

  • Best Overall School Garden 
    • Union Public Rosa Parks Elementary in Tulsa 
    • Principal: Heather Federline 
    • Awarded $1000 
  • Best Education Based School Garden 
    • Red Bud Farm School in Oklahoma City 
    • Teacher: Erin Dulle 
    • Awarded $500 
  • Best Harvest Partnership School Garden 
    • Little Axe Elementary in Norman 
    • Teacher: Kim Hollars 
    • Awarded $500 
  • Best Community Collaboration School Garden 
    • Cleveland Elementary in Oklahoma City 
    • Teacher: Sarah Mossman 
    • Awarded $500 
  • Best Start-Up School Garden Proposal 
    • Terra Verde Discovery School 
    • Teacher: Emily Garman 
    • Awarded $500 

For  more information about the Statewide Garden Contest or Oklahoma Farm to School, visit the Oklahoma Farm to School Website at www.okfarmtoschool.com. With additional questions, contact Cheri Long at cheri.long@ag.ok.gov.