The recipients of the 2009 Farm to School grants were announced at a special ceremony at the Statehouse cafeteria.

The Rozo McLaughlin Farm to School program is in its third year and named for the late Rep. Rozo McLaughlin of Royalton, a state legislator devoted to improving the health and welfare of Vermont’s children. Her bill attempted to find ways to incorporate good nutrition into kids’ diets by linking local producers and schools.

This year, grants were awarded to eleven schools. Seven are implementation grants and four are planning grants. Schools who received grants in 2008 were on hand with displays demonstrating how the money had made an impact on their school and had brought more local foods to their cafeterias.

"When students are able to communicate the importance of connecting Vermont Agriculture and local foods to education, we know we have made a difference," said Abbie Nelson, co-director of VT FEED.

Education Commissioner Armando Vilaseca pledged that the Department of Education would make this initiative a top priority.

A new statewide steering committee will be formed, through the partnership with VT FEED and the departments of health and education.

Secretary of Agriculture Roger Allbee was also enthusiastic.

"We are so thrilled with how much this program has grown," he said. "It is wonderful to hear the stories of how students are relating farming to reading, math, science and economics."

Implementation grants this year include one to the Sharon Elementary School and one to Thetford Academy. Planning grants went to Randolph Elementary School and four other schools around the state.