Ashley River Creative Arts student earns top prize in Bonnie Plants 3rd Grade Cabbage Program
from Staff Reports
Mallory Posta might not pursue the agricultural field when she gets older, but the fourth-grader at Ashley River Creative Arts Elementary School might have a future in that line of work. She was awarded a $1,000 scholarship for winning “best in state” in the 2018 Bonnie Plants Third Grade Cabbage Program. Mallory grew her cabbage at home during the spring semester of her third-grade year before submitting her prize-winning entry.
More than 28,000 kids from South Carolina participated this past year, and more than one million 3rd graders throughout the nation have participated in this contest since 2002.
Bonnie Plants, the largest producer and distributor of vegetable and herb plants in North America (based in Alabama), began this initiative in 1996 to instill a desire in young people and continue to “grow” the next generation of gardeners. By 2002, the Cabbage Program became a national endeavor. A $1,000 scholarship goes to one student in each participating state. At the end of the season, teachers from each third grade class select the student who has grown the “best” cabbage, based on size and appearance. A digital image of the cabbage and student is submitted online at www.bonnieplants.com. That student’s name is then entered in a statewide drawing. State winners are randomly selected by the office of the Commissioner of Agriculture.
Mallory received the check, a plaque, a certificate, and a book during an assembly last month. Steve Chapman with Bonnie Plants and Benjamin Sease, the State Department of Education’s Office of Nutrition and Health Farm to School Coordinator, presented her with the awards.
“Ashley River third graders have been participating in this program for several years,” said Principal Michelle Conner. “This year, Mallory and other students in her class posted their progress on their Google Classroom account and gave growing tips to one another. We are so proud of Mallory for all of the hard work she put into growing her cabbage!”
To learn more about the Bonnie Plants Cabbage Program, visit www.bonniecabbageprogram.com/.
