Our Liaisons are Making It Grow! Check out the article in the recent issue of Statewide Family Engagement Center Network newsletter (https://mailchi.mp/familieslearning/sfec-network-mar...), where they highlight the amazing work our team and partners are doing to bring gardens to Great Falls Elementary School and Marshall Primary School!

From SFEC Newsletter, Vol 1, Issue 2

"Good things are growing—literally and figuratively—at two schools in South Carolina. Thanks to the work of two Carolina Family Engagement Center (CFEC) regional liaisons, countless people are being nourished and nurtured.
 
At Great Falls Elementary School (GFES), students, faculty, and administrators are participating in a farm to school program organized by Julia Beaty, Upper Central Regional Liaison. Beaty worked with GFES personnel to secure a two-year grant through the S.C. Department of Education’s farm to school program.
 
As part of the grant, GFES will build a school garden using small-scale farming techniques. Taylor’s Soul Food restaurant will provide culinary expertise to connect students to the garden, and the Great Falls Referral Assistance Service Project (GRASP) will distribute GFES produce to food-insecure neighbors. Wild Hope Farm, which practices regenerative, organic gardening principles, will provide experiential and nutritional lessons, offer service learning opportunities, and meet the community’s nutritional needs.
 
Marshall Primary School will implement a similar gardening partnership with the help of Lorilei Swanson, Upstate Regional Liaison. Through the partnership, additional social and emotional learning (SEL) opportunities for PreK and K-5 students will take place in the school’s garden and playground. An SEL Story Walk, expanded healthy local choices for school lunch, and a free six-week Positive Solutions series for parents are additional program benefits."