School Visits

Northern California may be in the middle of a “river” of storms, but that didn’t stop two state agency representatives from getting out and seeing first-hand what state funds can accomplish. Western Growers Foundation visited school garden grant recipient, Oak Park Preschool in Sacramento, Calif. Wednesday. The school received $1,000 as part of a grant funded by California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). They were one of 100 recipients selected to create and sustain an edible school garden.

California Assemblyman Mike Gatto teamed up with Western Growers Foundation May 20 to help special needs students in Glendale, Calif., plant a school garden made possible through a grant from the foundation.

The school garden at Marblehead Elementary in San Clemente, Calif., celebrated its first year thanks to a grant from Western Growers’ Foundation. The foundation funded the garden with $1,500 in the Fall 2010 round of grants made possible by the Monsanto Fund. The garden is spearheaded by retired Marblehead teacher Stephanie Anfinson who now volunteers full-time for the garden program. 

Assemblyman Mike Gatto helped students in his district plant their school garden made possible through a grant from Western Growers Foundation on May 20.

On December 16, 2010, WGF awarded Wilson Primary School in Phoenix, AZ, with a $1000 garden grant to create the school garden they have been wanting.

Western Growers Foundation was on-hand at Righetti High School in Santa Maria on October 28, 2010, where more than 150 elementary school students had a “frightfully festive Halloween” and received a pumpkin.

From coast to coast food groups, agricultural organizations, locavores, and others are attempting to reconnect consumers with where their food comes from. Through the years, people have lost touch with the fact that the food they enjoy daily somehow, someway originated on a farm. There is an absolute disconnect with who is providing the food.

On an overcast Tuesday morning, just prior to the July Western Growers Board of Directors meeting, Western Growers Foundation (WGF) held a workday at a new urban garden in Long Beach. With more than 30 volunteers on hand, including WGF board members Rachael Barkley (Chairman Robby Barkley’s spouse) and Nikki Patricio (former Chairman Steve Patricio’s spouse), the garden received some tender loving care.