Bleckley Welcomes Farm to School Program

Down home cooking could do more than fill empty stomachs in Bleckley County soon.

The School District was selected by the Georgia department of agriculture to pilot a program called “Feed My School.”

“I’m going try to grow squash and sweet corn. The logistics may be a little issue on the corn but squash is a pretty short season crop. I think it’ll be pretty neat for the kids,” said Michael Williams.

The farm of Michael Williams sits just a couple miles down the road from Bleckley County Elementary so it just made sense for him to participate in the Farm to School program.

Bleckley County is one of three counties selected to pilot the program for the Georgia Department of Agriculture. One goal of the program is to buy local produce and form partnerships with local farmers.

“Yeah I mean vegetable is a higher economic crop for us, a little more labor intensive, but it may be an option down the road,” said Williams.

Educating students about agriculture in Georgia is another benefit of Farm to School and Bleckley Nutrition Director, Kathy Peavy says despite the areas rural demographic, many students are clueless about farming.

“Many children had no clue how the corn grew or that even it had to be shucked all they’ve ever seen is in a can,” said Peavy.

The Georgia Department of Agriculture plans to coordinate local farmers with school administration to put on a week of local grown meals in mid May.

“We’re going to feed our schools for a week 75-100% Georgia grown,” said Melanie Hollingsworth, Nutritional Director and Outreach Specialist for the Georgia Department of Agriculture.

The program will face regulation challenges from the USDA, State Department of Education, and the Georgia Growers Association, but most feel the pilot program has strong upside.