SLEEPY EYE - Virtues of a Future Farmers of America (FFA) Farm to School program were discussed at Thursday's Sleepy Eye Public School board meeting.
Board member Lori Hirschboeck said that at the recent state school board association convention, she was impressed with the Sibley East High School FFA's garden northwest of Arlington that produces vegetables that are used in school lunches and save the school district money.
"Each student donates time working in the garden that is making money for the school," Hirschboeck said.
She suggested the school board consider such a program using the FFA's existing farm plot on school property.
New board member Keith Lendt said vegetables could be grown year-around in the school's heated greenhouse.
Sibley East's school gardens produce cantaloupe, pickles, squash, red and white cabbage, onions, pumpkins, and yellow, green and purple beans for school lunches.
Superintendent John Cselovszki commended the board's 20-member, four-day school week committee for its preparation for Jan. 18, 25, and 30 forums on the subject set for 6-8 p.m. in the school cafeteria.
"Maynard Clara City Raymond (MACCRAY) Supt. Greg Schmidt was very impressed with our presentation," Cselovszki said.
He praised the board's state convention presentation on its curriculum re-writing project.
Cselovszki said he talked with Minnesota Department of Education Assistant Commissioner and former Sleepy Eye High School Principal Elia Bruggeman about the district's migrant school taking part in a Mexican teacher exchange program.
"We could send teachers to Mexico at some point too," Cselovszki added.
Fritz Busch can be e-mailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.