The New Jersey Department of Agriculture presented Ethel Jacobsen School in Ocean County with the Cream of the Crop Award during a visit to the school’s classrooms, garden, and cafeteria. The presentation was part of the 14th Annual Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week and the Second Annual Ag Literacy Week, held from September 23-27.
“Ethel Jacobsen has an excellent program and adding the Agricultural Literacy component complements the outstanding curriculum already in place,” NJDA Secretary Ed Wengryn said. “They have a wonderful school garden, and their tower garden in the cafeteria is a regular reminder to students about how food grows and where it can originate.”
Spearheaded by school nurse Bianca Aniski, Ethel Jacobsen Elementary School has maintained a school garden for 15 years. The celebration included Garden Ambassadors transplanting cabbage and broccoli seedlings started by summer volunteers. Plants in the garden are labeled by students in both English and Spanish as part of world language classes.
The school also participates regularly in Jersey Tastes, allowing students to try different offerings. For this event, they taste-tested a garden-fresh salsa made from ingredients grown in their own garden. The Farm to School curriculum at Ethel Jacobsen incorporates math and Ag Literacy lessons, which include reading age-appropriate books about growing plants, agriculture, and journaling projects where students create stories based on plant growth. These lessons are integrated into various subjects including science, English Language Arts, music, art, physical education, health, wellness, cooking sessions, and MyPlate Nutrition.
“With Bianca’s leadership, Farm to School here has continued to thrive and we are excited to accept this honor,” Ethel Jacobsen Principal Frank Birney said. “The students are enthusiastic with what takes place throughout the year and it’s very rewarding to see them learn more and mature as they progress through the program.”
Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week celebrates partnerships between state farmers and schools that encourage schools to purchase produce from local farmers for meals. Established by law in 2010 as the last week of each September, this week highlights schools that connect with New Jersey farmers to increase student consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Farm to School activities include:
- Nutrition education with taste tests using locally purchased produce.
- Harvest meals serving products sourced from New Jersey farms.
- Curricular tie-ins connecting cafeterias with classrooms or school gardens.
- Visits or exchanges with local farms teaching students about food growth.
- School garden education integrated into classroom teachings.
The influence of the Farm to School Program has led 500 schools to purchase local produce. Over 350 districts have implemented cafeteria programs using Harvest of the Month promotional material highlighting nutritional values of local items. More than 250 districts use curricula linking cafeteria meals with healthy eating education or farm field trips.
For more information on these initiatives visit www.farmtoschool.nj.gov.
