Students will have the opportunity to learn about nutrition, eating locally-grown produce
Jan. 30—WINDHAM — With the help of a new, $ 5,000 state grant, Charles H. Barrows STEM Academy students will have the opportunity to learn about nutrition and the importance of eating locally- grown produce.
The grant, which was awarded by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, was announced earlier this month.
" It is a grant designed to enhance the farm to school programs," Windham Superintendent of Schools Tracy Youngberg said during the Jan. 17 board of education meeting.
Barrows was awarded the grant as part of the second round of the Connecticut Grown for Connecticut Kids grant program.
" These awards increase the availability of local foods in child nutrition programs, allowing educators to teach students about nutrition, farm- toschool connections, build and maintain relationship with local farmers, provide enrichment for students, improve the health of children and will enhance the state's economy," Youngberg said in a memo to the board of education.
According to a press release from the Department of Agriculture, $ 452,268 in grants was awarded to 32 public school districts, early childcare providers, nonprofits and small businesses through the grant program. There were 72 applications and grant requests totaled about $ 1.02 million.
" Response to the Connecticut Grown for Connecticut Kids Grant program has been tremendous and we are pleased to double the number of awardees this year with increased funding capacity," Connecticut Department of Agriculture Commissioner Bryan Hurlburt said in a press release. " We are especially appreciative of the advisory committee members who participated in the review process to ensure these projects will have a meaningful and immediate impact on students' access to fresh, nutritious CT Grown foods while providing interactive learning opportunities related to agriculture, nutrition, food and health."
Barrows students will work with staff at Walden Farm in East Haddam to expand the urban farming program at Barrows by adding two Farmbots and a small greenhouse.
One of the Walden Farm owners works at Barrows.
Farmbots are automated robots that monitor seeds from planting through harvesting.
They can be used to learn about a variety of STEM subjects, including plant science, coding, electronics and hardware engineering.
" This funding is providing the opportunity to extend student experiences and opportunities to engage farming and local agricultural initiatives," Barrows Principal Timothy Maclure wrote in an e- mail Friday.
He wrote that the robots will be used to bring the community science class-
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