SPURGER – Spurger ISD is the “Cream of the Crop” according to the Texas Department of Agriculture.
The school district was cited within the Region 5 area of educational service for its commitment to prioritizing agricultural education and Texas-grown foods.
The initiative is one spearheaded by Ag Commissioner Sid Miller, who said in a news release that is “a big part of my commitment to building the next Farm Fresh generation.”
As part of the designation, which went to the district’s cafeteria, and was presented by Miller last week to Penny Miller-Tinkle, of Spurger ISD, the district was recognized for “ensuring a healthier future for the Lone Star State,” according to Miller.
Miller said that the annual event educates our young Texans on how healthy eating contributes to their success and the success of our hard-working Texas farmers and ranchers. I congratulate all the participating schools for their first-rate efforts to ensure a healthier future for the Lone Star State.”
Each participating school, according to Miller, utilized Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) resources in their own, respective, ways to promote the “Eat Local, Teach Local and Be Social” mantra, and to prioritize agricultural education and Texas-grown/produced foods.
The Farm Fresh Challenge has been part of Miller’s Farm Fresh Initiative, which includes the Farm Fresh Network, a registry of 200 ag companies that sell their local food products to school districts, childcare centers and adult care centers, as well as summer meal programs.
Spurger ISD was also presented earlier in the month with a four-foot AeroGarden system and two desktop computers at the MegaCon Conference, as donations from Scotts Miracle-Gro and Miller’s office, which will allow hands-on ag education. Students at Spurger ISD will have the opportunity to hydroponically grow fresh herbs and vegetables with the AeroGarden system.
Miller-Tinkle and her staff presented the gifts to Spurger Pre-K and kindergarten classes.
During the cycle of the Farm Fresh Challenge for this year, participants spent more than $5.7 million on Texas products, giving more than one million Texan school students the opportunity to try local foods.
