Did you ever think the phrase "Where Tigers Grow!" could take on such a literal and delicious meaning here at Pilot Grove C-4 Schools? Our school is buzzing with exciting partnerships and grants that are transforming how our students learn about food, nutrition, and the environment – right from the ground up!
We're thrilled to announce some incredible collaborations that are bringing farm-to-plate experiences to life. We've partnered with Casey Adkins, Nutrition Program Specialist from Cooper County MU Extension, through a Farm-to-Plate grant. This generous support has provided us with everything we need for our very own school garden, state-of-the-art hydroponic stations, a greenhouse, and a wealth of garden supplies and classroom curriculum now being taught throughout our elementary school.
The learning doesn't stop there! Caroline Herigan, Youth Program Specialist from Cooper County MU Extension, brings her expertise to our students during Tiger Club after school, and she also partners with our local 4-H groups.
Our older students are getting involved too. Mr. Lorenz’ Environmental Science Class has been busy collecting soil samples for analysis, and their lab is currently home to our innovative hydroponic station, promising fresh leafy vegetables and herbs year-round. Meanwhile, Mrs. Townlain’s FFA Class is lending their green thumbs to prepare the soil for the garden located just south of the parking lot. Adding to our outdoor efforts, Ms. Winn and her team are working diligently to gather fertilizer, revitalize the herb garden, and plant new fruit bushes and trees.
The journey from garden to table continues in the kitchen with Mrs. Coates’ Food Class. They will be working with us to test new recipes, providing valuable feedback on what our students enjoy and offering suggestions for our kitchen. Her Health Class will also play a vital role by exploring healthy food options and collaborating with our food service operations to offer nutritious choices daily.
We've also received a significant boost from a Local Foods for Schools grant, which has allowed us to source fresh, high-quality beef from Haley Imhoff. The students have definitely noticed the delicious difference! In addition, our homemade granola now features the delightful "Monk’s Heavenly Honey."
Finally, we are incredibly proud to announce that Pilot Grove is one of only three schools in Missouri to receive a prestigious 2025 Heartland Farm to School Institute grant. This year-long initiative, a collaboration between the Child Nutrition Program Partners in Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska, aims to help schools like ours deeply integrate Farm to School programming into our classrooms, cafeteria, and community. The institute kicks off with an immersive retreat where our team will develop action plans with the guidance of a dedicated coach and learn from informative educational sessions. Following the retreat, we'll implement our plans with ongoing support from the institute network, including our coach, state agency representatives, and fellow participating schools.
Exciting things are truly blossoming here at Pilot Grove C-4 Schools! Stay tuned to learn more and see for yourselves WHAT Tigers Grow!
