These enthusiastic “young farmers” from Oliver Elementary School are anticipating good crops this season as they have money in hand and plenty of agricultural dreams to fulfill as part of the Young Farmer program, where they grow vegetables and sell them as a business.
Photo by Lyonel Doherty
Six-year-old Zoe Jones from Oliver may be the perfect poster child for healthy kids.
She eats all her vegetables.
The kindergarten student from Oliver Elementary School just loves her veggies and can’t wait to start growing her own as part of the Young Farmer program.
Zoe said she likes taking care of plants.
“I want to watch food grow and share my broccoli with other people,” she noted.
This is the second year the school has offered the program in conjunction with the Farm to School Salad Bar, sponsored by Hester Creek Estate Winery and Valley First Credit Union.
Teacher Marji Basso said 12 students are taking part in the program, which allows them to learn firsthand how to grow their own food and make a business from it (by selling their vegetables).
Zoe is joined by her older brother Isaac Jones who plans to grow zucchini, tomatoes and cucumber.
He said it’s important to eat healthy, and by growing your own food you know exactly where it comes from. And there’s no chemicals.
Isaac, 10, said he will water his garden every day and build a deer fence so the deer won’t eat his produce.
“And I will weed it every time there’s weeds in it.”
Fellow student Blake Miller, 10, is growing peppers, tomatoes and lettuce.
“I wanted to participate in this program because it is a challenge because it is my first time gardening by myself.”
Blake said it is important to buy local food instead of processed food from the major brands.
Justin Vala and Aidan Wolfe said they are going to loosen some soil and plant seeds that are not genetically modified.
The boys said they are involved in this because they want to learn teamwork and take responsibility for their health.
Eight-year-old Kayla Koteles said she wants to participate because her family enjoys farming together.
“It is important to eat local food because it is fresher and tastes better,” she stated.
Ten-year-old Nicholas Lang said he wants to get involved because his dad used to be a farmer.
“It’s important to eat local food because it’s not processed,” Nicholas said.
Grade 2 student Ryder Yorke is growing beets, carrots and herbs.
“It is fun and I can spend quality time with my papa, and help feed my family,” he said. “It’s healthy and it supports our community. Have good dirty water, wash it and love it.”
Nathan Millward said he’s taking part again because last year his crop of beets didn’t work out. So he would like to try a different crop (potatoes and herbs).
“It is important to eat local because it is more sustainable and it provides local farmers jobs.”
Nathan said this food will not have to sit in storage long term and absorb carbon dioxide fumes while travelling.
By Lyonel Doherty
