Media contact:
Misti Preston
Phone: (573) 751-8596
Misti.Preston@mda.mo.gov

For Immediate Release: December 19, 2006

Director of Agriculture, Bonnie Plant Farms Presents Fourth Grade Student with Scholarship

(JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.) – Today, Fred Ferrell, director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture, and B.J. Kruger, representative of Bonnie Plant Farms, presented Shelby Brandt, a fourth grader at Immaculate Conception School in Jefferson City, with a $1000 scholarship for the Bonnie Plant Farm’s Cabbage Program. Shelby participated in the program as a third grader in Ms. Bonnie Keilholz’s class and was selected from over 90 students that participated in the cabbage growing program in Missouri.

“We are honored that Shelby and many other students at Immaculate Conception and from across the state participated in this farming project which is a rewarding experience,” said Ferrell. “Growing vegetables is a fun, easy way to be a part of Missouri’s agriculture.”

Each year, Bonnie Plant Farms sponsors the cabbage growing program for all Missouri third graders. Students are encouraged to participate in the program, learn more about growing cabbage and be able to win a $1000 college scholarship. Shelby’s cabbage grew to over 39 pounds, a common occurrence for the over-sized cabbage variety provided by Bonnie Plant Farms.

“I encourage all Missouri schools to get involved in such a great opportunity to teach their students more about gardening and agriculture,” said Ferrell. “ Shelby had the chance to grow this cabbage along with her grandmother which gave her an invaluable experience of learning more about where our food supply comes from.”

For more information regarding Bonnie Plant Farms Cabbage Program, visit www.bonnieplants.com.

Editor’s note: For photos of today’s event or a photo of Shelby Brandt’s 39 pound cabbage, respond by email to Misti.Preston@mda.mo.gov.

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