Thank you for showing interest in the Young Farmer Project!
This project is part of the Farm to School Salad Bar Program, and is brand new to Oliver Elementary School this year.

History: For the last six years, OES has operated a Farm to School Salad Bar program. Hester Creek became a partner in 2011 and donated proceeds from their Garlic Festival to the program. Last year at the festival, a student asked if she could bring garlic that she grew to the festival and sell it at our booth. The organizers agreed, and the student sold 40lbs of garlic in an hour with a sizable profit made. The student felt good about being a young farmer, and realized that growing and selling local food was profitable. The Young Farmer’s project is a result of this student’s experience.
Mission: To allow students from Grade 3-7 have the opportunity to experience the process of planting, maintaining, harvesting, and selling of local food.

Project Outline:
Students from grade 3-7 will be given the opportunity to apply for the Young Farmer’s Project. We will be awarding 25 students that complete an application and a projected budget up to $75 to prepare a garden, plant and maintain it, then harvest it in the fall.

The participating students will have to opportunities to sell their product at the Hester Creek Garlic Festival as well as the Meet the Teacher Night in September. Students keep the proceeds that they make.
The grant of up to $75 can be used for start-up costs such as:

Materials to build an above ground planter box
Rental fee of a planter box at the Oliver Community Garden
Creating a garden in their yard
A greenhouse
Seeds, soil, equipment

Belinda Yorke
OES Farm to School Coordinator

contact info: email ~ abryorke@gmail.com