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Newton Education Foundation Receives $94,000 USDA Farm to School Grant
NEF Relaunch

Newton Education Foundation (NEF) is pleased to announce it is one ofjust three Georgia organizations to receive a Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program Grant. The $94,000 grant, along with support provided by partners, totals over $128,000 to fund a collaborative project that will expand Newton County Schools’ existing Farm to School efforts.

NEF will partner with Newton County Schools, Love is Love Cooperative Farm and Small Bites Adventure Club to offer a first-of-its-kind “Veggie-Ready Certification” program for Newton County Pre-K and Kindergarten students. The program will reach 40 pre-K and kindergarten classrooms. Over the two-year project, 880 students and their teachers will participate in in-classroom agriculture education, visit a local farm, taste test local food in the school cafeteria, and receive a certificate of program completion.

Additionally, funding will bring farm to school opportunities to students and families across the district through school grants to expand gardens, Family Farm Days, a farm to school educational video, and workshops for school nutrition managers and staff, students, and families.

The CDC estimates that 37.6 percent of Georgia children ages 1-5 years old do not eat fruit daily and 47.9 percent do not eat vegetables daily (CDC 2021). Children who adopt new foods during the early years, including pre-K and kindergarten, are more likely to try and consume new foods later in life, including eating the healthy school meals offered in school districts.

“We are excited by the great opportunity this collaboration offers to our young students and know that investing in the introduction of unfamiliar, fresh, and healthy foods will lead to lifelong wellness and learning”, said Newton County School Nutrition Director, Abdul Lindsay, whose department has been recognized with the Golden Radish Award for their farm to school work for the past decade.

NEF Executive Director Gail Rothman shared, “when we relaunched NEF last November, we knew that there would be many opportunities to collaborate for the good of Newton County students. We are excited at how quickly that vision came to fruition and the great potential this grant has to make an impact on so many students.”

Founded in 2009 and based in Covington, the NEF is an independent non-profit that puts community resources to work for children so they can achieve academic and personal success by removing obstacles, providing opportunities that deepen learning, supporting teachers and strengthening community initiatives.

Eastside High School announces Top 10 graduates for Class of 2025
eastside top 10

Eastside High School has announced the names of the top ten graduates of the Class of 2025. Leading the way are valedictorian, Ian White, and salutatorian, Malachi Scharf. Each of the top ten graduates have exciting prospects ahead of them as they prepare for life after high school.

Eastside High School’s 2025 Top 10 Graduates are:

• Ian White—The valedictorian, Ian plans to attend college and obtain a doctorate in chemical engineering. He selected Mr. Elijah Clark as his top teacher.

• Malachi Scharf—The salutatorian, Malachi plans to major in chemical engineering at Georgia Tech. He chose Mr. Michael Poor as his favorite teacher.

ehs val and sal
Malachi Scharf (left) and Ian White (right) are Eastside High School’s 2025 Salutatorian and Valedictorian. - photo by Courtesy of Newton County School System

• Kaiden Blazina—Kaiden plans to attend Georgia College and State University to study biology with plans to become an anesthesiologist or a missionary. Kaiden selected Mrs. Haley Dawkins as his honored teacher.

• Abby Malcom—Abby will be attending Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in the fall to major in agribusiness. Her goal is to run a floral business. She selected Ms. Sara Beth Hammond as her top teacher.

• Shelby Moore—Shelby plans to attend Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College to pursue a degree in agricultural education. She selected Ms. Alisa Echols as her top teacher.

• Annalie Parker—Annalie will attend Georgia College & State University with plans to obtain a doctorate and pursue a career in the scientific field. She selected Dr. Catrina Pollard as her favorite teacher.

• Chandler Shurtz—Chandler plans to attend Georgia Tech to study industrial engineering. He selected Mrs. Kelly Elder as his honored teacher.

• Robby Thomas, Jr.—Robby will attend Georgia Tech to study aerospace engineering and astrophysics. His goal is to work for NASA. Robby chose Ms. Kayla Stoddard as his honored teacher.

• Anna Underwood—Anna is attending Georgia State Perimeter to study her core classes with plans to transfer to the University of Georgia. Her career goal is to become an elementary school teacher. She selected Mr. Eric Adams as her top teacher.

• Benjamin Weaver—Benjamin is attending Newberry College to play soccer and study in their pre-vet program before moving on to veterinary school. He selected Mr. Caleb Watson as his honored teacher