Holly Springs Elementary School

Holly Springs Elementary School is one of Cherokee County School District’s four Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) academies. Participants will tour the facility and school garden. The lead garden teacher and the School Nutrition Culinary Specialist will share details regarding their Farm to School partnership. During the tour of the facility, participants will have a student led tour of the story walk, garden, and outdoor classroom. The lead garden teacher will discuss composting and the use of school garden produce in the school meals. The School Nutrition Culinary Specialist will share about the district level farm to school program and partnerships, including Heritage month and Harvest of the Month recipes.

Flat Rock Middle School

Flat Rock Middle School is one of the five middle schools of Fayette County Public School System. The Flat Rock Middle School partners with Farm to School by serving locally grown foods in school meals and incorporate menu items from the school gardens and cook them for taste testing in the classrooms.  Participants will tour a fully operational teaching garden and its surrounding community forest.  Hydroponics and aquaponics are also being utilized.

The Common Market

The Common Market is a nonprofit regional food distributor on a mission to connect urban communities with local food from sustainable family farms. Participants will tour The Common Market facility and learn how they assist schools, after school programs, summer feeding programs, and childcare centers to procure local foods for their meal programs. Participants will meet and greet farmers and have a taste test with Small Bites Adventure Club.  

Metro Atlanta Urban Farm

Metro Atlanta Urban Farm is a certified naturally grown farm and community-driven organization that provides training, education and support services for youth, adults and seniors interested in transforming their lives and communities through agriculture.   Participants will tour the farm, learn about innovative agricultural production and preparation for cool weather planting.  They will also observe chickens, bees, hoop houses and aquaponics. Participants will do a Farm to Table taste test, by Tri-Cities High School Culinary Arts Department.