The Northwest Opportunities Vocational Academy (NOVA) in Milwaukee has been awarded an Apples4Ed grant by the U.S. Apple Association (USApple) to provide funding for the creation of a student-managed agricultural area at the school. The $4,000 grant is one of five being given this year by USApple to help schools provide access to nutritious foods while teaching students about sustainable, healthy eating patterns.
“While we received numerous applications from across the nation, NOVA High School separated itself with its strong community focus and hands-on curriculum that aims to solve real-world issues,” said USApple President and CEO Jim Bair. “Growers and farmers can certainly identify with these deep-seated core values.”
NOVA High School students in Milwaukee were awarded an Apples4Ed grant from USApple to create gardens, a greenhouse and aquaponics at the vocational school
The school plans to use to the grant to create an outdoor garden, greenhouse and aquaponics, whereby students can gain hands-on experience growing healthy foods. In the classroom, students will use engineering, math and science to plan, create and maintain the agricultural area. Located in a food desert without grocery stores, the school plans to provide produce to the community center and neighborhood through pop-up farm stands and other initiatives.
NOVA was founded in 1993 as an alternative, school-to-work program for “at-risk” students residing on the northwest side of Milwaukee. One hundred students in grades 7-12 are offered a full day program, which leads to a high school diploma.
Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett joins students at NOVA High School to celebrate the school winning an Apple4Ed grant from the U.S. Apple Association
“Age, income, education, time and access all combine to make healthy living seem like an unobtainable goal to our students,” wrote NOVA science teacher Jennifer Parr in her Apples4Ed application. “By combining agriculture with our community needs this project will be invaluable, allowing us to make an important, life-altering difference for our students, their families and our community.”
Other 2019 Apples4Ed recipients so far include the Robert W. Coleman Elementary School in Baltimore, Md., and the Rensselaer City School District in New York. The remaining two schools will be publicly recognized later this month. Applications for 2020 Apples4Ed funding will open in August.
For more information:
Tracy Grondine
U.S. Apple Association
Ph: +1 (202) 316-6377
tgrondine@usapple.org
www.usapple.org