Kids across America are growing, and some are earning, a lot of “green” participating in the National Bonnie Plants Cabbage Program. This year, more than 1.5 million third graders in 48 states have gotten hands-on gardening experience growing colossal cabbages with high hopes to win “best in state” and receive a $1,000 scholarship towards education from Bonnie Plants. Each year Bonnie Plants, the largest producer of vegetable and herb plants in North America, with 72 stations across the country, trucks free O.S. Cross, or “oversized,” cabbage plants to third grade classrooms whose teachers have signed up for the program online at www.bonnieplants.com. If nurtured and cared for, kids can grow green, giant cabbages, some tipping the scales at 40 pounds!
Launched nationally in 2002, the program awards a $1,000 scholarship to one student in each participating state. At the end of the season, teachers from each class select the student who has grown the “best” cabbage, based on size and appearance. A digital image of the cabbage and student is submitted online at www.bonnieplants.com. That student’s name is then entered in a statewide drawing. State winners are randomly selected by the Commission of Agriculture, in each of 48 particpating states.
“The Bonnie Plants Cabbage Program is a wonderful way to engage children’s interest in agriculture, while teaching them not only the basics of gardening, but the importance of our food systems and growing our own”, said Stan Cope, President of Bonnie Plants. This unique, innovative program exposes children to agriculture and demonstrates, through hands-on experience, where food comes from. The program also affords our youth with some valuable life lessons in nurture, nature, responsibility, self-confidence and accomplishment”.
“Over the course of the past 10 years, the Bonnie Plants Cabbage Program has proved to be an exciting, worth-while experience that children, teacher, parents and grandparents across the country have embraced. We’re pleased and proud to provide our youth with this enjoyable and enriching opportunity and engage their interest in the art and joy of gardening”, said Cope.
Getting It Growing: Growing a colossal cabbage may seem like a giant undertaking for little kids, but it’s easier than you think. All you need to do is:
- Let the Sunshine In: Cabbages need at least six hours of full sunlight, more if possible.
- Survey Your Space: Bonnie O.S. cabbages need at least three feet on each side to spread out. If you don’t have that much space, use a large container.
- Supplement Soil: Work some compost into the soil – cabbages love nutrient-rich soil.
- Feed the Need: Start your cabbage off right with an all-purpose vegetable fertilizer, then fertilize it every 10 days to keep it growing strong.
- Water Wisely: Your cabbage needs at least one inch of rainfall each week. If it doesn’t rain, use a watering can or garden hose to gently water your plant at soil level.
- Tend To Trouble: Keep weeds out of the cabbage patch – they compete for the food and water your cabbage needs. Be on the lookout for brown or white moths – these come from worms that love to munch on cabbage. If you see any, get rid of them right away. Cold weather can damage your cabbage. If the weather gets below 32° F, cover your cabbage with a bucket or clothe covering.
- Hefty Harvest: In just 10 to 12 weeks, you should have a huge head of cabbage you can be proud of.
Green thumbs and perseverance can pay off, providing participating children with as great sense of pride and accomplishment, a humongous cabbage, and for the lucky state winner…. the beginning of an educational fund for college. To see the 2012 winners and learn more about the 2013 contest, visit www.bonnieplants.com
Why a cabbage? Cabbages were the first plant sold by Bonnie in 1918. The cabbages used for the 3rd grade program are OS Cross (over-sized), which is known for producing giant, oversized heads, making the process even more exciting for kids.
Rave Reviews: “The Bonnie Plants Cabbage Program is a wonderful way to engage children’s interest in agriculture, while teaching them not only the basics of biology, but the importance of our food and fiber systems. This innovative program exposes children to agriculture and demonstrates through hand-on experience, where their food comes from. We’re grateful to the people at Bonnie Plants for continuing to provide this program, nationwide, and successfully connect our youth to agriculture”. (FORMER) Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture, Ron Sparks
“The Third Grade Cabbage Program provides valuable lessons to students about agriculture and the way it touches everyone’s life every day. I commend Bonnie Plants for this program”. (FORMER) Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner, Richie Farmer
“The Bonnie Plants Cabbage Program is a wonderful way to engage children’s interest in science. The students learn the life cycle of a plant, how to care for it and what it needs to grow: soil, sunlight, water. Kimberly Dalton, Costner Elementary, North Carolina
“Every year Bonnie Plants sends us cabbage seedlings, the project teaches students many lessons including how to grow their own food. The biggest lesson I think they learn from this program is how fast vegetables can grow. Students were just amazed and impressed on how fast and easy it was to grow their own food. I think kids sometimes forget that they can grow food so this is a great lesson!” Jennifer Bloom, Russell Ranch Elementary, Folsom, CA
It’s good for the students to get out there and grow their own plants. It helps them learn about nature, soil composition and the parts of plants, but it also shows them where things come from,” she said. “So many young people take for granted the fact that we can walk into the store and buy whatever we want. It’s a good history lesson for them to learn that it wasn’t always like that, even in this country”. Melody Witt, Alto Elementary Principal, Texas
Here is a listing of the Indiana schools that are participating in the program:
| St. John Bosco | IN | |
| Arlington Elementary | Arlington | IN |
| Attica Elementary | Attica | IN |
| St. Mary’s School | Avilla | IN |
| White Oak Elemetary | Avon | IN |
| Hickory Elementary | Avon | IN |
| Cedar Elementary | Avon | IN |
| Pine Tree Elementary | Avon | IN |
| Maple Elementary | Avon | IN |
| River Birch Elementary | Avon | IN |
| Sycamore | Avon | IN |
| Bainbridge Elementary | Bainbridge | IN |
| St. Vincent de Paul School | Bedford | IN |
| Stalker Elementary | Bedford | IN |
| Needmore Elementary | Bedford | IN |
| Lincoln Elementary | Bedford | IN |
| Shawswick Elementary | Bedford | IN |
| Parkview Intermediate | Bedford | IN |
| Pennacle Elementary | Bloomington | IN |
| Fairview Elementary | Bloomington | IN |
| St. Charles Elementary | Bloomington | IN |
| Arlington Heights | Bloomington | IN |
| Child Elementary | Bloomington | IN |
| Binford Elementary | Bloomington | IN |
| Cornerstone Christian Academy | Brazil | IN |
| Van Buren Elementary | Brazil | IN |
| East Side Elementary | Brazil | IN |
| Meridian Elementary School | Brazil | IN |
| Forest Park Elementary | Brazil | IN |
| Jackson TWP | Brazil | IN |
| Hales Little Angels Childcare | Brazil | IN |
| North Knox Intermediatw | Bruceville | IN |
| Mt Carmel Elementary | Cedar Grove | IN |
| Johnathan Jennings Elementary | Charlestown | IN |
| Pleasant Ridge Elementary | Charlestown | IN |
| Chesterton Montessori | Chesterton | IN |
| Fairhaven Baptist Academy | Chesterton | IN |
| Van Duyn | Clinton | IN |
| Ernie Pyle Elementary | Clinton | IN |
| Central Elementary | Clinton | IN |
| Cloverdale Elementary | Cloverdale | IN |
| St. Peter’s Lutheran School | Columbus | IN |
| Saint Bartholomew School | Columbus | IN |
| Columbus Signature Academy- Lincoln | Columbus | IN |
| CSA Fodrea | Columbus | IN |
| W.D. Richards Elementary | Columbus | IN |
| L.C. Schmitt Elementary | Columbus | IN |
| Parkside Elementary | Columbus | IN |
| Southside Elementary | Columbus | IN |
| St Gabriel | Connersville | IN |
| Lester B. Sommer | Crawfordsville | IN |
| Pleasant Hill Elementary | Crawfordsville | IN |
| Surgar Creek Elementary | Crawfordsville | IN |
| Nicholson Elementary School | Crawfordsville | IN |
| Lake Street Elementary | Crown Point | IN |
| Timothy Ball Elementary | Crown Point | IN |
| Daleville elementary | Dalevile | IN |
| Delphi Elementary | Delphi | IN |
| St. Vincent dePaul School | Elkhart | IN |
| Holy Cross School | Fort Branch | IN |
| Francisco Elementary | Francisco | IN |
| Clinton Prarie Elementary | Frankfort | IN |
| Suncrest Elementary | Frankfort | IN |
| Green Meadows Elementary | Frankfort | IN |
| Northwood Elementary | Franklin | IN |
| Creekside | Franklin | IN |
| Northview Elementary | Gas City | IN |
| Jefferson Elementary | Goshen | IN |
| Saint Mary Elementary | Greensburg | IN |
| North Decatur Elementary | Greensburg | IN |
| North Deacatue Elementary | Greensburg | IN |
| South Decatur Elementary | Greensburg | IN |
| Greensburg Elementary | Greensburg | IN |
| Our Lady Of The Greenwood | Greenwood | IN |
| Southwest Elementary | Greenwood | IN |
| North Dearborn Elementary | Guilford | IN |
| North Deaborn Elementary | Guliford | IN |
| Montessori Children’s Schoolhouse | Hammond | IN |
| Hazel Young Academy | Hammond | IN |
| Kenwood Elementary | Hammond | IN |
| Maywood Elementary | Hammond | IN |
| Frank O’Bannon Elementary | Hammond | IN |
| Southwestern Elementary | Hanover | IN |
| Southside Elementary | Hartford City | IN |
| St. Bridget School | Hobart | IN |
| Ridgeview Elementary | Hobart | IN |
| River Forest Elementary | Hobart | IN |
| Suburban Christian School | Indianapolis | IN |
| The Key Learning Center | Indianapolis | IN |
| Glenns Valley Elementary | Indianapolis | IN |
| Arlington Elementary | Indianapolis | IN |
| Douglas Macarthur Elementary | Indianapolis | IN |
| Imagine ILSAW | Indianopolis | IN |
| Grainville Wells Elementary | Jamestown | IN |
| Mapel Elementary | Jeffersonville | IN |
| Springhill Elementary | Jeffersonville | IN |
| North Haven Elementary | Jeffersonville | IN |
| Riverside Elementary | Jeffersonville | IN |
| Utica Elementary | Jeffersonville | IN |
| The Kings Academy | Jonesboro | IN |
| South Newton Elementary | Kentland | IN |
| The Childrens Christian Academy | Kokomo | IN |
| James Cole Elementary | Lafayette | IN |
| Murdock Elementary | Lafayette | IN |
| Mintoyne Elementary | Lafayette | IN |
| Amelia Earhart Elementary | Lafayette | IN |
| Glen Acres | Lafayette | IN |
| Mayflower Millitary Elementary | Lafayette | IN |
| Edgelea Elementary | Lafayette | IN |
| Wea Ridge Elementary | lafayette | IN |
| Hershey Elementary | Lafayette | IN |
| Lincoln Elementary | LaPorte | IN |
| Saint Lawrence School | Lawrenceburg | IN |
| Bright Elementary | Lawrenceburg | IN |
| Perry Worth Elementary | Lebanon | IN |
| Central Elementary | Lebanon | IN |
| Harney Elementary | Lebanon | IN |
| Hattie Elementary | Lebanon | IN |
| Liberty Elementary | Liberty | IN |
| West Loogodee Elementary | Loogootee | IN |
| Barton Township | Mackey | IN |
| Anderson Elementary | Madison | IN |
| E.O. Muncie Elementary | Madison | IN |
| Allen elementary | Marion | IN |
| Frances Slocum Elementary | Marion | IN |
| St Paul Parish School | Maron | IN |
| Turky Run Elementary | Marshall | IN |
| Mays Elementary | Mays | IN |
| John Wood | Merrillville | IN |
| Clinton Central Elementary | Michagantown | IN |
| Shenandoah Elementary | Middletown | IN |
| Milroy Elementary | Milroy | IN |
| Montezuma Elementary | Montezuma | IN |
| Bar Reeve Intermediate | Montgomery | IN |
| Northwood Elementary | Mooresville | IN |
| Mooresville Christian Academy | Moorseville | IN |
| Neil Armstrong Elementary School | Moorseville | IN |
| Sutton Elementary | Muncie | IN |
| East Washington Academy | Muncie | IN |
| Royerton Elementary | Muncie | IN |
| Elliott Elementary | Munster | IN |
| James B. Eads Elementary | Munster | IN |
| Frank H. Hammond | Munster | IN |
| Parker Elementary | New Castle | IN |
| Wilbur Wright | New Castle | IN |
| New Market Elementary | New Market | IN |
| Walnut Elementry School | New Ross | IN |
| North Salem Elementry | North Salem | IN |
| Oakland City Elementary | Oakland City | IN |
| Dollens Elementary | Oolitic | IN |
| Maple Ridge Elementary | Pendleton | IN |
| East Elementary | Pendleton | IN |
| Pendleton Elementary School | Pendleton | IN |
| Southern Wells Elementary | Poneto | IN |
| Reelsville Elementary | Reelsville | IN |
| Riley Elementary | Riley | IN |
| Roachdale Elementary | Roachdale | IN |
| Rockville Elementary | Rockville | IN |
| Rushville East Elementary | Rushville | IN |
| Rushville Elementary East | Rushville | IN |
| Forrest Ridge Academy | Schereville | IN |
| Immanuel Lutheran School | Seymour | IN |
| Emerson Elementary | Seymour | IN |
| Brown Elementary | Seymour | IN |
| Redding Elementary | Seymour | IN |
| Seymour Jackson Elementary | Seymour | IN |
| St. Anthony’s | South Bend | IN |
| St. John the Baptist Catholic School | South Bend | IN |
| Spencer Elementary | Spencer | IN |
| McCormicks Creed Elementary | Spencer | IN |
| Sunman Elementary | Sunman | IN |
| Syracuse Elementary | Syracuse | IN |
| Taylorsville Elementary | Taylorsville | IN |
| Quabache Elementary | Terre Haute | IN |
| Indian Creek Intermediate School | Trafalgar | IN |
| Thomas Jefferson Elementary | Valparaiso | IN |
| Parkview Elementary | Valparaiso | IN |
| Southeast Fountain Elementary | Veedersburg | IN |
| Wabash Valley Elementary | Vincennes | IN |
| Flaget Elementary | Vincennes | IN |
| Riley Elementary | Vincennes | IN |
| Franklin Elementary | Vincennes | IN |
| Tecumseh Harrision Elementary | Vincennes | IN |
| South Knox Elementary | Vincennes | IN |
| Lena Dunn Elementary School | Washington | IN |
| Helen Griffith Elementary | Washington | IN |
| North Elementary | Washington | IN |
| Waveland Elementary | Waveland | IN |
| Klondike Elmenentary | West Lafayette | IN |
| Oak Trace Elementary | Westfield | IN |
| Shamrock Springs Elementary | Westfield | IN |
| Willeamsport Elementary | Williamsport | IN |
| Fayette | W-Terra Haute | IN |
| Yorktown Elementary | Yorktown | IN |