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Tyne Bankester
In the four years since Melissa Starks began teaching in Winn Parish, she has seen a major impact from Seeds to Success: The Louisiana Farm to School Program.
Born and raised in Winnfield, Starks, a self-described “hometown girl,” works at Winnfield Primary School, teaching science and social studies to fourth graders. She has established her career educating the children of her community, describing her decision to teach in her hometown as a “no-brainer.”
“I love the people and culture here in rural Louisiana,” she said. “Everyone knows each other and there is always someone you can call for help. There are always local volunteers who are willing to help our school kids.”
When asked how Seeds to Success has impacted the farm to school activities of her school and students, she said that the program has taken their garden club to the next level with the Seeding LA materials.
“We enjoyed participating in the Louisiana Harvest of the Month program and thoroughly enjoyed the Great Louisiana Satsuma Peel as a school-wide activity,” she said.
Starks went on to say that the program has brought gardening awareness and exposure to many students who would not get this opportunity without it, and that spotlighting a harvest of the month makes it easy for her to squeeze in short lessons that expose students to more science-related items.
Teachers like Starks are integrating multiple facets of farm to school programming into students’ daily activities — from lesson plans to taste tests, to physically working the gardens and growing food — and the work is paying off.
Students are more knowledgeable about agriculture, have an appreciation of where their food comes from, are willing to try healthy foods that they previously avoided and are learning life skills that will help them live longer, healthier lives.
“I love the teachers, staff and our wonderful administrators at WPS,” Starks said. “We really are like a family.”
As one school year ends and a new one prepares to begin, the Seeds to Success team looks forward to seeing how the Farm to School program will help bring communities closer together by connecting students to their food.
Tyne Bankester is the program manager for curriculum integration and MarketMaker for Seeds to Success: The Louisiana Farm to School Program.
(This article appears in the spring 2023 edition of Louisiana Agriculture.)
Melissa Starks, a fourth-grade teacher at Winnfield Primary School, checks the plants in her school garden with her students, Raelynn Walker, left, and Parker Vines, right. Photo by Kyle Peveto
Melissa Starks, a fourth-grade teacher at Winnfield Primary School, started a garden with her students. Photo by Kyle Peveto
