Cascade student wins scholarship

Cascade student Jessica Woodard won a scholarship for growing this 22-pound cabbage. (Submitted photo)

Woodard grew a cabbage plant that weighed more than 22 pounds as a part of a third grade science project last spring sponsored by Bonnie Plants of Union Springs, Ala.

Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Ken Givens, along with Bonnie Plants representatives Ellis Ingram, Jay Moorer and Albert Wilson, presented the scholarship to Woodard, now a fourth grader, in a special assembly of third and fourth grade students at the school. Bedford County Farm Bureau members President Marty Davis, Nelle Mahaffey and Vista Crosslin were also present.

Cascade third grade participants learned about the love of gardening and the responsibilities of growing food for the table.

They were among 85 Tennessee students who took cabbage plants home, learned how to plant, fertilize, and care for them until maturity and won class contests for growing the largest plant. A state winner was drawn from that group.

"This program is a wonderful way to get kids interested in agriculture, and it teaches them not only the basics of biology, but the importance of our food and fiber systems as well," Givens said. "We congratulate Jessica on a fine job of gardening and wish her the best. We're grateful to the folks at Bonnie Plants for making this scholarship available to Tennessee students."

Woodard is the daughter of Scott and Christy Woodard of Wartrace. Her scholarship is a $1,000 interest-bearing bond from Bonnie Plants intended to aid with future educational costs.

Bonnie Plants distributed cabbage plants in more than 25,000 schools across the country with more than 1 million cabbage plants being taken home by students, according to Dennis Thomas, general manager of Bonnie Plants.

"As one of the country's largest growers of vegetables and herbs, our distribution network of over 46 growing stations and sales routes in 48 states allows us to share our love and knowledge for gardening throughout the country," Thomas said. "Bonnie hopes to build upon our success in the next few years partnering with Future Farmers of America to provide even more third graders throughout the county with the opportunity to plant one of our oversized cabbage plants."