Stephens County School System Honored for Farm to School Excellence at 2018 Golden Radish Awards

The Stephens County School System recently received a Bronze level recognition at the 2018 Golden Radish Awards held at the Georgia Freight Depot.

The Golden Radish Award publicly recognizes Georgia school districts for best practices in farm to school programs, such as local food procurement, exposing students to new foods through taste tests, and incorporating gardening and cooking activities in curriculum.

State School Superintendent Richard Woods said when students have access to fresh, local foods they’re better prepared to learn – and they can connect with Georgia agriculture, one of our state’s largest industries.

In recognizing the Stephens County School System, State School and Agriculture officials noted the hardwork of educators in teaching children about the importance of agriculture in Georgia.

Students in Stephens County went on numerous field trips to local farms and participated in hands-on learning activities while learning about farm animals, planting, and harvesting.

The farms that helped make those learning experiences possible incuded, Berry Acres, Blackberry Farmstead, Denver Downs, Jaemor Farms, and Sorrells Christmas Tree Farm.

Various grade levels investigated pumpkins by measuring the diameter and height.

Students then counted seeds and performed various experiments.

Additionally, Toccoa Elementary hosted a “Farm Day,” with many local community members participating.

Senator John Wilkinson was present for that event along with a beekeeper, and farm animals that included chickens, pigs, horses, goats, beef, and a dairy cow.

Stephens County School System was one of 84 Georgia School Districts recognized at the awards.