The New Jersey Department of Agriculture presented the Cream of the Crop Award to Ethel Jacobsen School in Ocean County. The award was given during a visit to the school's classrooms, garden, and cafeteria as part of the 14th Annual Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week and the Second Annual Ag Literacy Week from September 23-27.
"Ethel Jacobsen has an excellent program and adding the Agricultural Literacy component compliments the outstanding curriculum already in place," NJDA Secretary Ed Wengryn said. "They have a wonderful school garden, and a winter light garden is a regular reminder to students about how food grows and where it can originate."
The school garden at Ethel Jacobsen Elementary School has been active for 15 years under the leadership of school nurse Bianca Aniski. During the Farm-to-School celebration, Garden Ambassadors transplanted cabbage and broccoli seedlings started by summer volunteers. Students label plants in both English and Spanish as part of their world language classes.
The school participates in Jersey Tastes, allowing students to try different offerings. For this event, they tasted a garden-fresh salsa made from ingredients grown on-site. The Farm to School curriculum includes math, Ag Literacy lessons, reading age-appropriate books about agriculture, journaling projects on plant growth, and lessons across various subjects like science and 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 aims to build partnerships between state farmers and schools by encouraging schools to purchase local produce for meals. Established by law in 2010, this week highlights schools that connect with New Jersey farmers for fresh fruits and vegetables.
Farm-to-School activities include nutrition education with taste tests of local produce, harvest meals using locally sourced products, curricular tie-ins connecting cafeterias with classrooms or gardens, farm visits teaching food growth processes, and school garden education integrated into classroom teachings.
The program's influence has led over 500 schools to purchase locally. More than 350 districts use Harvest of the Month materials promoting local items' nutritional value while over 250 districts incorporate curricula linking cafeteria meals with healthy eating education or farm field trips.
For more information about these initiatives visit www.farmtoschool.nj.gov.
