By Lyonel Doherty
Oliver Chronicle
A new crop of “Young Farmers” from Oliver Elementary School is ready to get dirty.
Eighteen students have received their grants to grow and harvest vegetables as part of the annual “Farm-2-School” program that teaches youngsters all about the business of agriculture.
Students from kindergarten to Grade 6 plan an edible garden and apply for seed money to start growing. At the end of the summer, the young farmers have the opportunity to market their harvest at a variety of venues.
This year’s farmers include Emily Bidmead, Alana Guttormsson, Leland Hill, Anissa Khodarahmi, Sohayl Khodarahmi, Arabella, Knechtel, Emerrit Knechtel, Ethan Koteles, Kayla Koteles, Silas McAllister, Savannah Myers, Summer Robinson, Aidan Stefishen, Farah Thomsun, Ashton Vetsch, Coleson Vetsch, Angus Wise and Abby Wolfe.
Emeritt Knechtel, Grade 3, is growing carrots, cherry tomatoes, strawberries, cucumbers and pumpkins.
He said the key to growing is good soil, water and fertilizer. And hard work.
“I like how people come to buy your healthy food so they can be healthy,” he said.
Fifth grader Emily Bidmead plans to grow sunflowers, carrots, strawberries and tomatoes.
“I think it will be fun growing food. I enjoy gardening; I want to get my hands dirty.”
Bidmead thinks being a farmer is hard work. But it’s worth it for the fun factor, she pointed out.
