Pictured Murray Head Start staff pictured with the $3,000 grant check: (from left): Brittany Lockhart, Health Specialist, Tiffany Pitman, Family Services Specialist/Mentor Coach, Cindy Graves, Murray Head Start Director, Linda Thompson, Family Engagement Coordinator, Whitney Pile, Health Services Coordinator, and Karmel Stewart, School Readiness Coordinator.
Murray Head Start is the recipient of the “Gro More Good Gardens” Grant in partnership with the National Head Start Association (NHSA) and the Scotts Miracle Gro Foundation. Murray Head Start is one of 18 nationwide programs, and the only Kentucky program chosen.
Murray Head Start’s grant funds will be utilized to launch a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) gardening project that will be sent to every enrolled Early Head Start and Preschool/Head Start child.
Whitney Pile, Murray Head Start Health Services Coordinator, said Murray Head Start is very excited to be selected as a 2021 recipient. “What an honor,” she said. “With additional funding, we can truly enhance the resources included in this fall’s STEAM container garden kits and then distribute these kits to enrolled Early Head Start and Preschool/Head Start children and families.”
NHSA released the following statement in conjunction with this initiative. “Research shows that children who grow fresh food eat more fresh food and are healthier as a result. Through the “Gro More Good Garden’ Grants, we will work with Head Start programs across the country to teach children, families, and communities how to grow their own fresh produce----for life.”
The STEAM kits will be distributed in Fall 2021 and will include herb container garden kits, related parent/child activities, and some ingredients that can be used for a meal that will include herbs (from their container gardens). In addition, a website will be introduced to families in these kits, which will include informational videos about germination, local Farmers Markets, nutrition and gardening resources available at the public Library, and a cooking lesson. Some of Murray Head Start’s management staff will also be included on the website, delivering content in the component areas of Education/School Readiness, Nutrition, and Family Engagement.
Murray Head Start sends appreciation to the following community partners, who have agreed to come alongside them to assist with the implementation of this project: Calloway County Future Farmers of America, Calloway County Public Library, Calloway County Cooperative Extension Office, Humana, and the University of Kentucky Nutrition Education Program.