A $500 mini grant from the KFB Women’s program helped establish an educational garden at an Ohio County school that is a source of community pride and state recognition.

In a ceremony that attracted nearly 300 people to Beaver Dam Elementary School, Agriculture Commissioner James Comer joined officials from Perdue Farms, the city of Beaver Dam and Ohio County schools and government to launch the first “Ready, Set, Grow” school garden in Kentucky. Also present was Miss Kentucky Ramsey Carpenter, who is from nearby Hartford.

“The ‘Ready, Set, Grow’ program teaches children gardening skills that they can use all their lives,” Commissioner Comer said. “Some of the students in the program might even be inspired to take up a career in agriculture.”

Jim Booth, director of operations for the Perdue processing plant in Cromwell, presented a grant check for $5,000 for the project on behalf of Perdue and the Arthur W. Perdue Foundation.

"We are honored to be able to provide funding for a shelter for the outdoor classroom space at Beaver Dam Elementary,” Booth said. “This school has initiated an innovative learning program that teaches children about where their food comes from and how they can participate in its cultivation. This space will further enhance this wonderful learning opportunity for the children of this school."

“Ready, Set, Grow” is a partnership of Commissioner Comer and First Lady Jane Beshear to help Kentucky children learn how to grow fruits and vegetables. Ohio County FB applied for the grant, working with Beaver Dam Elementary School teacher Becky Gaither.  Among many crops, the students grew watermelons, pumpkins, squash, tomatoes, green beans, sunflowers and cucumbers.

“We’re very proud to have the first certified garden in the state,” said T.C. Sanderfur, the Ohio County FB Insurance Agency Manager. He was joined at the ceremony by several Ohio County FB leaders.