The Des Moines Register – Greg Forbes
“Riverside Elementary fourth-grader Connor McKewon gave his family an unexpected answer when asked what he’d learned in school on a recent day. His reply: to eat — and like — broccoli. “They were surprised,” he said. Connor’s newfound love for the green vegetable stems from a student- and parent-operated garden on a vacant plot across from the school. The garden, nurtured by approximately $8,000 in grants as well as equipment donations, gives students greater insight into how food is produced and where it comes from, said project coordinator Laurie Taylor. “We’re teaching the kids where their food comes from and that it doesn’t magically appear on a grocery store shelf,” said Taylor, Master Gardener coordinator and regional food coordinator for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.”(more)