10/12/07 Kids are Growing program continues to blossom

Farm and Ranch October 12, 2007 This is the third year of the Kids are Growing program in which five greenhouses are given to elementary schools in the greater Puget Sound area. Karen Bonaudi, Assistant Executive Director of the Washington State Potato Commission, says the program is a partnership between KING 5 TV in Seattle, IGC-International Greenhouse Company, and the Potato Commission. Bonaudi: "Not only do the students receive this free greenhouse, but they also get one-thousand dollars from the Commission to outfit it or hire someone to help them with it, or however they see their needs going." Seed growers in the Skagit Valley provide free seed potatoes for the schools with instructions on how to plant, grow and harvest the spuds. Bonaudi says response to the program has been amazing and the schools, parents and communities really value it as a teaching tool. Bonaudi: "For the Commission's part it lets us get out information about potatoes and how they are grown. They don't come from the supermarket. And also it gives us an opportunity to spread around our nutrition information." The deadline for entry for this year's Kids are Growing program is October 26th. To see who can apply and is eligible check out the rules and entry form at www.igcusa.com/kids 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.