By: Angela Mennecke
The DuPage County Farm Bureau and College of DuPage’s Grow Your Own Food program has
been named a County Activities of Excellence (CAE) Award winner by the American Farm
Bureau Federation. The national award recognizes county-level programs that demonstrate
exceptional innovation, impact and value to their communities.
Launched three years ago through a partnership between the DuPage County Farm Bureau
and COD’s Horticulture program, the Grow Your Own Food initiative introduces fourth
grade students across DuPage County to gardening and food production.
The program has expanded rapidly and is now offered in more than 70 elementary schools.
Nearly 5,000 students each year participate in a free, hands-on lesson that covers
the basics of food production, plant care and transplanting.
“This program helps students understand where their food comes from and builds early
interest in horticulture and agriculture,” COD Horticulture program Chair Brian Clement
said. “We’re honored to see this partnership recognized at the national level.”
Pictured left to right:
Kara Norton, executive director of the DuPage County Farm Bureau; Zippy Duvall, president
of the American Farm Bureau Federation; Clement; Ellyn Feltes, DuPage County Farm
Bureau board member; Ronald Frieders, DuPage County Farm Bureau board member; and
Ren MacDonald, DuPage County Farm Bureau program and communications coordinator.