Thirteen young artists have been recognized in the annual Farm to School Calendar Contest, an initiative supported by the North Carolina Grange. Each month of the calendar features artwork from a student, highlighting various agricultural commodities. The calendar also includes daily agricultural facts to educate students on agriculture’s significance in food production.
“The calendar art contest is a popular part of our Farm to School program. This year we had more than 4,500 entries from students across 58 counties,” stated Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. “What I see from their artwork is that they have a good understanding of farms and what agriculture looks like here in North Carolina.”
Prizes for winners, ranging from kindergarten to fifth grade, included gift cards from the N.C. Farm to School Cooperative and the School Nutrition Association of North Carolina. These were presented at the Got to Be N.C. Festival held in Raleigh on May 16.
The winning students are: Lucy Freeman (Huntersville Elementary), Adweth Chipilla (W.R. Odell Primary), Georgiana Occhiato (Elkin Elementary), Oliver Vester (Rock Ridge Elementary), Everly Swift (Richlands Elementary), Abigail Van Order (Long Mill Elementary), Cole Downs (Bethel Elementary), Aleaha Pearson (Robbins Elementary), Mackenzie Hernandez (Scurlock Elementary), Jose Siquiná Ixpertay (Spring Creek Middle), Faith Stewart (Kitty Hawk Elementary), Kelani Herrera (Lillington-Shawtown Elementary), and Mia Borjigin (Davis Drive Elementary).
For nearly three decades, the N.C. Farm to School Program has facilitated the distribution of North Carolina farm products into school cafeterias statewide. This year alone, it delivered over $2.2 million worth of food products to schools, with $600,000 funded by a Local Foods for Schools Grant. The program is a joint effort between the Food Distribution and Marketing divisions within the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Agriculture remains North Carolina’s top industry, contributing $111.1 billion economically and employing one-sixth of its workforce. The Farm to School Program aims not only to provide market opportunities for farmers but also to inspire student interest in agriculture.
“I hope some of the young people sitting in this room today will pursue a career in agriculture,” Troxler expressed during a reception.
The competition is sponsored by the North Carolina Grange, ensuring that schools and students receive calendars at no cost. Additional copies can be requested through NCDA&CS while supplies last, with printable versions available online at www.ncfarmtoschool.com.
