New Pa. law promotes ag education

CAMP HILL, Pa. – Pennsylvania’s new Healthy Farms and Healthy Schools initiative (Senate Bill 1209) will increase agricultural education and promote consumption of state-grown farm products in schools.
Supported by Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and signed into law by Gov. Ed Rendell, it authorizes state grants for programs to supply schools with locally grown farm fruits and vegetables that give students a healthy alternative to snack foods.
As part of the legislation sponsored by Sens. Mike Waugh and Shirley Kitchen, funding will also be available to help educators incorporate nutrition and agriculture education into their instruction through various activities, including field trips to farms.
The new law takes effect July 1, 2007.