Southwest PA News

Rep. Bud Cook has announced the allocation of two Farm-to-School grants in Washington County, Pennsylvania. These grants are part of an initiative to enhance children's understanding of agriculture and its career opportunities.

"Agriculture is not only our state’s top industry – it is a lifestyle passed on from one generation to the next," stated Cook. "These grants aim to ensure our youth understand where their food comes from, as well as the career opportunities that exist in the agriculture industry."

The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture awarded the grants to two local educational institutions. The California Academy of Learning received $13,631 for a project titled "The Sunflower Symphony: A Buzzing Collaboration with Bees." This initiative will educate kindergarten through fifth-grade students about sunflowers and apiary agriculture in Pennsylvania.

Additionally, the California Area School District was granted $8,590 for its program "Buzzing Minds Learn from Farm to School – Partnership with Bedillion Honey Farm." This program will introduce elementary students to honeybees and their critical role in nature. Middle school students will delve into honeybee genetics for more advanced learning.

The Farm-to-School grant program supports projects that improve access to healthy, local food while providing hands-on agricultural learning experiences for children from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.