WV Farm Bureau Magazine July 2016 | Page 17

The Westwood Middle students were the only local youth to take advantage of the contest. Westwood Principal Len Haney and Assistant Principal Jen Hagerty encouraged Mrs. Himes to get the students involved. Lowes donated potting soil for the project, and BFS – Southern States donated pea seeds. From there, it was up to the students to plant and water the seeds. They also maintained a pea journal, measured plant growth and kept a photo log as the plants grew. Students applied math, science, art, writing and other skills while they experimented with agriculture in their classroom. The Monongalia County Farm Bureau recognized the students with certificates at the school’s awards day ceremony. A copy of 1st Peas to the Table story book - the motivation for the contest - was given to the school by West Virginia Farm Bureau. For more information on Farm Bureau and its educational programs, go to www. agfoundation.org. Find out more about the Monongalia County Farm Bureau by calling 304-292-3116. Left page, front row, r-l: Brandon Chicchi, Timothy Collins. Back row: Laura Himes, Johnny Radcliff, Liberty Bunnell, Pranny Jackson, Americus Bunnell, Noah Gearde. This page, above: Peas were started in the classroom under grow lights. Right, top: Americus Bunnell measuring growth. Center: Brandon Chicchi and Liberty Bunnell checks the growth. Bottom: Laura Himes helps Brandon Chicchi repot the peas outside while Timothy Collins looks on. West Virginia Farm Bureau News 17