Arkansas Agriculture Edition 25 : Page 26
Spotlight On Youth Warriors fight hunger Cotter FFA plants hope against hunger by Mollie Dykes Keith Sutton World hunger is an ever-growing issue, but the Cotter High School FFA is doing its part to help. In April, members of the Cotter community gathered to receive free EarthBoxes complete with plants of their choosing that will produce fruits or vegetables for them to eat. EarthBoxes allow families with limited yard space to grow vegetables, fruits and herbs. These boxes take away the hassle of digging and weeding a garden and require less water and fertilizer. The Cotter FFA Chapter was one of 140 chapters across the nation to receive a $2,500 grant to fund the EarthBoxes. Carley Calico was a student teacher this year at Cotter High School under agriculture instructor Brandy Hughes. She heard about the National FFA’s “Food for All” grant and applied. “The students were excited and ready to help out their community and provide healthy eating options for families,” Calico said. The $2,500 allowed the chapter to purchase 60 EarthBoxes at a discounted price along with educational materials and planting guides. Several other businesses along with the Valley Springs FFA Chapter offered help to make sure the event was successful. Hughes says Lowes in Mountain Home “Warriors fight hunger” Cotter FFA Chapter front row (l to r): advisor Brandy Hughes, Jordan Wallis, Kaylee Denmark, Cody Rowe, Christa Burns, Justin Harris and student teacher Carley Calico. Back row (l to r): Scott Benke, Dylan Harig, Austin Hamilton, Clayton Franks, and Coulter Keisler. vegetable four-packs. Valley Springs FFA also provided vegetables. Upon arriving at the event, families completed a short survey about their eating habits and provided contact information. When the EarthBox plants begin producing, the families will fill out the survey a second time. To ensure the families are taking full advantage of their fruits and vegetables, students in the FFA chapter will post recipes on the school website. There are also links available for families who might have questions about their EarthBox, along with links for the follow-up surveys. Families can keep the EarthBox and reuse it every year. This is exactly what the students want them to do. “Hopefully, they can improve their eating habits, gain the experience of growing their own vegetables and, in some cases, provide food to families with little resources,” Hughes said. Not only did the “Warriors Fight Hunger” project benefit the 60 families who participated, but it also benefited the students. They experienced themselves making a difference in their small community. “This has been a great experience for our FFA chapter,” Hughes said. “We have 66 members, and the ones who stepped up to help with this project gained a valuable lesson on helping out the community. This is an experience they will never forget, and Keith Sutton offered a discount on potting soil, fertilizer, nursery tape, vegetable stakes and several I know they will continue to seek out other opportunities to help those in need.” ŒŒŒ* 26 Arkansas Agriculture Cotter FFA member Kaylee Denmark puts plants in an EarthBox.
Spotlight On Youth
Mollie Dykes
Warriors fight hunger<br /> <br /> Cotter FFA plants hope against hunger<br /> <br /> World hunger is an ever-growing issue, but the Cotter High School FFA is doing its part to help. In April, members of the Cotter community gathered to receive free EarthBoxes complete with plants of their choosing that will produce fruits or vegetables for them to eat.<br /> <br /> EarthBoxes allow families with limited yard space to grow vegetables, fruits and herbs. These boxes take away the hassle of digging and weeding a garden and require less water and fertilizer.<br /> <br /> The Cotter FFA Chapter was one of 140 chapters across the nation to receive a $2,500 grant to fund the EarthBoxes.Carley Calico was a student teacher this year at Cotter High School under agriculture instructor Brandy Hughes. She heard about the National FFA’s “Food for All” grant and applied.<br /> <br /> “The students were excited and ready to help out their community and provide healthy eating options for families,” Calico said.<br /> <br /> The $2,500 allowed the chapter to purchase 60 EarthBoxes at a discounted price along with educational materials and planting guides. Several other businesses along with the Valley Springs FFA Chapter offered help to make sure the event was successful.<br /> <br /> Hughes says Lowes in Mountain Home offered a discount on potting soil, fertilizer, nursery tape, vegetable stakes and several Vegetable four-packs. Valley Springs FFA also provided vegetables.<br /> <br /> Upon arriving at the event, families completed a short survey about their eating habits and provided contact information. When the EarthBox plants begin producing, the families will fill out the survey a second time. To ensure the Families are taking full advantage of their fruits and vegetables, students in the FFA chapter will post recipes on the school website. There are also links available for families who might have questions about their EarthBox, along with links for the follow-up surveys.<br /> <br /> Families can keep the EarthBox and reuse it every year. This is exactly what the students want them to do.<br /> <br /> “Hopefully, they can improve their eating habits, gain the experience of growing their own vegetables and, in some cases, provide food to families with little resources,” Hughes said.<br /> <br /> Not only did the “Warriors Fight Hunger” project benefit the 60 families who participated, but it also benefited the students. They experienced themselves making a difference in their small community.<br /> <br /> “This has been a great experience for our FFA chapter,” Hughes said. “We have 66 members, and the ones who stepped up to help with this project gained a valuable lesson on helping out the community. This is an experience they will never forget, and I know they will continue to seek out other opportunities to help those in need.”
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