Owensboro Farmer Provides Home-Grown Education for Community Kids

Suzanne Cecil White, a produce farmer in Owensboro, knows the value of education and learning by doing. She is also a strong advocate of healthy eating and providing her community a personal connection to her farm. By adding these passions together, this former high school math teacher has a formula for success.

Two years ago, Suzanne wanted to create a program that allowed kids to get their hands dirty and understand how fruits and vegetables are produced locally. Once a week for six weeks, she hosted a "Farm Camp" for kids ages 7-10. The kids were able to plant and harvest their own vegetables while learning about farming along the way. They also visited other farms in the area to learn about livestock and different farm enterprises. The camp was a huge success, and several parents asked if it would be offered again.

The produce season of 2014 came with a new addition to her family, but she knew she wanted to continue providing educational programs through her farm.

Earlier this year, she connected with a local Boys and Girls Club (Cliff Hagan Boys and Girls Club) through her involvement in area leadership organizations. The club was offering a locally-funded program called "Positive Sprouts" and Suzanne wanted to offer her expertise and her farm for their curriculum.

Suzanne provided the club a small plot on her family's produce farm (Cecil Farms Produce). They planted on March 31st and have been tending it at least once weekly ever since. The kids are now enjoying harvesting the vegetables, and they sell it at the local farmer's market, use it for meals at the club, or provide it for their families. The money the kids make at the farmer's market goes back to the program.

"This has been a very successful program," Suzanne said. "The kids love it. The community members love it. The farmer's market customers love it. I had a customer start crying because she saw the joy on the kids' faces when they shared their experience with her. This has had such a positive impact on everyone involved.

"I get emotional too, when I look back at pictures," Suzanne added. "I see the joy in their faces when they have a new experience. The first day they picked, they asked if they could take it home. They were surprised and excited to learn they got to take it all."

Suzanne says she loves that the club is able to have their experience on a working farm instead of a small plot because it gives them a more real-life experience. The kids see the day-to-day activities and ride the large equipment needed to plant many acres of produce that eventually will be sold to grocery stores or Suzanne's local customers.

"This is the first year they are here, but I hope that they still choose to use a real farm after they evaluate the program," Suzanne said. "The kids get expert knowledge and see how things are done on a bigger scale. I think that is good from an educational standpoint."

In between the Positive Sprouts program, managing her produce business, and caring for her family, Suzanne still made time for another Farm Camp experience this summer. This time they provided a one-day event and invited Tennessee Titans punter Brett Kern to participate. Suzanne said it was a big success, a lot of fun, and it wore the kids out.

"I actually reached more of my target audience this time," she said, "and we were able to experience all sorts of things in just a few hours. It was also easier on the parents."

The Kentucky Agriculture and Environment in the Classroom was able to assist Suzanne by providing several hands-on activities, such as seed identification, soil testing, and a lesson on nutrition. These and other activities are made available for a small fee to members of the Agricultural Literacy Network. The network was organized to provide farm educators the tools they need for successful programs. For more information, contact Jennifer Elwell at jennifer@teachkyag.org.

For more information about the Positive Sprouts program at the Cliff Hagan Boys and Girls Club in Owensboro, contact Ryan Bibb at rbibb_chbgc@yahoo.com. A similar program called The Garden Project is conducted at the Boys and Girls Club of Franklin-Simpson.

Positive Sprouts was originally launched as a national Boys and Girls Club program sponsored by Amway. While there is no longer a national sponsor, local organizations are funding this invaluable experience for clubs, and our farmers are providing their time.