Education

Southold students learn all about life on the farm

COURTESY PHOTO | Southold Elementary School students farming at
COURTESY PHOTO | Southold students farming at Charnews Farm in Southold last month.

Southold Elementary School students visited Peconic Land Trust’s Agricultural Center at Charnews Farm in Southold to learn about the day-to-day operations of a local farm and healthy eating habits.

The bi-annual program aims at teaching students about life on a farm, proper nutrition and the work that goes into growing fruits and vegetables on Long Island, according to a press release.

Students visited the farm Oct. 22 and dug for potatoes. They also enjoyed a healthy snack of kale chips as a reward for their hard work.

[Watch News 12 Long Island’s coverage of the event]

Peconic Land Trust’s program coincidences with similar efforts stemming the school district’s garden, an effort to encourage healthier lifestyles for children.

Southold biodynamic farmers K.K. and Ira Haspel helped the district construct a 12,000-square-foot garden, which now has more than 36 beds that produce a mixture of greens, such as lettuce, arugula, cabbage and romaine. Other vegetables include broccoli, radishes, shallots and red potatoes. Additional areas around the garden’s perimeter will grow pumpkins, squash, cucumbers and tomatoes. After the vegetables are harvested, students and staff enjoy freshly prepared salads in the cafeteria.

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