Over the
past three years, USDA has welcomed seventh-graders from Alice Deal Middle
School in Washington, D.C. to participate in “Deal Gives Back,” a day of
service that empowers students to serve their community. This year was no
exception. Alongside local volunteers, 118 students and faculty spent a day at
USDA’s People’s Garden planting, weeding, and tilling soil to better understand
how community gardens can increase access to fresh, healthy food choices in
communities where nutritious options aren’t easily accessible.
All work
and no play? Not a chance. After a warm welcome from USDA Assistant Secretary
for Administration Dr. Gregory Parham, the students checked out demonstrations
from the Agricultural Research Services’ (ARS) Bee Research and Systematic
Etymology Labs to learn about insect classification, research, and the vital
role pollinators play in growing healthy fruits and vegetables. And to wrap up
the day, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Director Dr. Sonny
Ramaswamy stopped by with a surprise treat – an invitation to try toasted
mealworms. Yum!
Events
like “Deal Gives Back” allow young people to enjoy the outdoors, learn where
their food comes from and see firsthand the role agriculture plays in their
day-to-day lives in both rural and urban communities, including our nation’s
capital, Washington D.C.
The
Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships is thankful for everyone
who helped make this opportunity happen, including the People’s Garden
volunteers and Timber Pizza Co., a local eatery which generously donated over
70 pizzas for students, faculty and volunteers.
The
People’s Garden Initiative works with federal, state and local partners to
build and sustain gardens that grow healthy food, people and communities. To
find a People’s Garden near you, check out our interactive map at
peoplesgarden.usda.gov.
Source: Blogs.usda.gov
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