Winners revealed in Washington State Potato Commission's Kids Are Growing greenhouse competition

Farm and Ranch March 27, 2009 Five more western Washington elementary schools are receiving a greenhouse and a one-thousand dollar check in this fifth year of the Washington State Potato Commission's Kids Are Growing competition. Karen Bonaudi, Assistant Executive Director of the Potato Commission, says King 5 TV in Seattle helps promote the competition and the greenhouses are provided by International Greenhouse Company. Bonaudi: "The schools really appreciate the greenhouse because it supports some educational programs they already have going for nutrition and where their food comes. They also appreciate the thousand dollar check we give to each school. If there is something they don't have it is free money. It is not earmarked for something else." Bonaudi says the commission is looking for more partners to join them in the Kids Are Growing program. Bonaudi: "Because we hear from schools in other parts of the state, Yakima and Spokane, that want to be part of this program. We chose the Seattle area because a lot of schools there cater to students who don't have the opportunity to have backyard gardens or greenhouses." This year's winning schools were Concordia Lutheran in Tacoma, Graham Hill Elementary in Seattle, Cedarhurst Elementary in Burien, Rainier Elementary in Rainier and Explorer Community School in Redmond. That's the Northwest Farm and Ranch Report. Brought to you in part by the Washington State Potato Commission. Nutrition today! Good health tomorrow! I'm Bob Hoff on the Northwest Ag Information Network.