Ongoing educational efforts continued in the Meade County Preschool program though nutrition, fine motor and critical thinking skills development.  Producing food was introduced in September to the eight classes (4-morning and 4 afternoon)in the preschool program.  The ANR and FCS agent worked with the children to plant lettuce seeds for use in the November nutrition education program and to introduce the process on how food grows.  One hundred and forty nine children took part as they used tweezers to plant lettuce seeds in grow trays.  The trays were watered with instructions on how to maintain for development.  Two of the class rooms had natural light while the other two did not so grow lights were provided.  Two weeks before the scheduled follow-up the coordinator called with the news the natural window plantings were struggling.  Grow lights were secured and during the follow-up visit the FCS agent used the situation to discuss the needs in growing plants and compared the plants that had lots of light and those who did not.  The need for good nutrition to help thier body grow was emphasized and the first portion of the book How Groundhog Grew A Garden was read.  Purchased lettuce was given to the students for tasting.  One student was very hesitant to try the lettuce and the teacher explained the only thing they had ever seen him eat was bread or a biscuit.  After encouraging him to try other foods so he would grow strong and healthy he tried it much to the amazement of everyone even the other students.  Then he ate some more and exclaimed "I wike it!"  Each class now has a gardener and plans are to harvest the lettuce in December before winter break.  

Classes resumed in February when the students planted carrot seeds and the FCS agent planted radish seeds to introduce root vegetables.  The book Tops and Bottoms was utilized to engage the students with a relatable story on how to grow a garden.  The final program in April combined the three vegetables into a salad so the children could experience all the vegetables they learned to grow and how they could be used together to add color and variety to thier food.  Overall the children liked the salad and many experienced radishes for the first time.