Participants in the Check Presentation Ceremony (from left to right) are: Dr. Sarah Sanchez,
Director of Special Services, Richland School District Two; Wendy Broderick with the Columbia YMCA;
Henry Hunter representing the town of Blythewood; Tom Willingham, Agricultural Education Instructor;
Jeff Temoney, Assistant Principal; and Keith Price, Principal at Blythewood High School.
BLYTHEWOOD AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION PROGRAM AWARDED $5000 YMCA GRANT FOR COMMUNITY GARDEN PROJECT
The YMCA of Columbia, SC, recently awarded a $5000 grant to the Blythewood High School Agricultural Education Department to assist in developing a Community Garden, reports John W. Parris, state director of public affairs with the SC FFA Association.
The Agricultural Education Department will collaborate with the Culinary Arts Program at the school to contribute produce to local food banks and market excess produce through the Blythewood Farmers Market. Proceeds from the sale of vegetables will be used to sustain the garden project.
The YMCA made the contribution to the Community Garden Project through its partnership with the ACHIEVE Initiative, a part of the organization’s Healthier Communities Program designed to support health seeking people adopt and maintain a healthier lifestyle.
Agricultural Education students are in the process of planting fall crops such as collards, mustard greens, turnips, cabbage, spinach and onions to be harvested between December and February. Spring plantings will include tomatoes, sweet corn, beans, squash, cucumber and watermelon to be harvested between May and July.
“Tom Willingham, Agricultural Education Instructor and FFA advisor at Blythewood High School, is coordinating the planning and implementation of the Garden project,” Parris said.