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JCCC Receives Grant for Edible Schoolyard
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Johnson County Community College
Press Release

College Information and Publications
913-469-8500
Julie Haas, Director, ext. 3120
Peggy Graham, Writer, ext. 3425
Tyler Cundith, Sports Information Director, ext. 3122

5/14/08
Story by Peggy Graham

JCCC Receives Grant for Edible Schoolyard

Edible Schoolyard
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius speaks at the May 8 dedication of the edible schoolyard at the Hiersteiner Child Development Center, Johnson County Community College.
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. ­– Johnson County Community College has been awarded $21,218 from the Sunflower Foundation for its edible schoolyard at the Hiersteiner Child Development Center.

The edible schoolyard will encourage improved food choices and healthier eating among 578 young children, ages
2 to 8, through hands-on participation in planting, tending and harvesting an on-site 1,260-square-foot organic garden and through use of an age-appropriate nutrition and gardening curriculum, Early Sprouts, developed by nutrition and early childhood education faculty at Keene State College, Keene, N.H.

The edible schoolyard will combine an active learning classroom with family-based components to increase the use of whole foods in meals and snacks at the HCDC and at home. The edible schoolyard is also supported by a generous contribution of $13,000 from the George and Patricia Semb Science Education Fund.

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