Guidestone Colorado gets support from the Colorado Health Foundation for Farm to School Initiative
Salida, Colorado –February, 2015 – Guidestone Colorado is pleased to announce that the Colorado Health Foundation has awarded $70,000 to support the Salida School Gardens: Healthy Food, Healthy Growing Program.
The Salida School Gardens Program is a collaborative effort between the Salida School District, Guidestone Colorado, LiveWell Chaffee County and the Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC). Funding from the Colorado Health Foundation will support the expansion of the Holman Farm Site which supplies fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables for the school meal program and provides a venue for agricultural education and service learning opportunities for the school district and community. This funding will also support the implementation of education programs and Internship opportunities at the farm site, a continued partnership with the SCC “Agricorps“ youth corps, and strategic support for the middle school and elementary school education gardens.
“Its inspiring to see what can be accomplished with strategic partnerships, passionate educators, and volunteers who are grounded in the shared vision of growing the next generation of healthy food consumers. We are so grateful for all of the support of this important initiative for the Salida community!” - Jennifer Visitation, Executive Director, Guidestone Colorado
Community members are encouraged to get involved with this program through volunteering at the garden sites, sponsorship of community events, or through direct or in-kind donations. For more information contact Margaret Fitch, Director, Farm to School Initiative at [email protected] ,719-239-0955 or visit www.guidestonecolorado.org.
Guidestone Colorado is a 501 c3, non-profit organization dedicated to growing a vibrant local food economy in Colorado through education, community building, and partnerships. Guidestone’s Farm to School Initiative serves as a model for food production and education integration for the communities of the Upper Arkansas River Valley and shares key learnings and strategies with other communities throughout the state.