Ohio H.B. 68, 128^th General Assembly
Healthy Farms & Healthy Schools
http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=128_HB_68

• Creates the Healthy Farms and Healthy Schools Grant Program, to be administered by the Director of Agriculture, to provide grants to public and private schools with kindergarten programs to educate kindergarten students and their families about choosing healthy, locally grown or produced foods and to increase awareness of Ohio agriculture. 

Introduced by: Represenative Dan Dodd (D), District 91
Co-Sponsors: Weddington, Newcomb, Slesnick, Harris, Murray, Harwood, Sayre, Garrison, Domenick, Skindell, Stebelton, S. Williams, Okey, Letson, Heard

The purpose of the program is to educate kindergarten students and their families about the importance of choosing healthy, locally grown or produced foods and to increase awareness of agriculture in Ohio.  The Director of Agriculture must administer the program and consult with the Department of Education and the Department of Health in establishing it. 

Grants may be awarded for any of the following purposes:
(1) To provide kindergarteners with nutrition education.  The education must be integrated into regular subjects in the curriculum and must focus on healthy food choices using agricultural products that are grown and produced in Ohio.  Nutrition education activities must include parents, caregivers, and community groups.
(2) Training of teachers and other educational staff on nutrition education and agricultural education;
(3) Field trips to Ohio farms and other direct agricultural educational experiences that teach children about food sources, nutrition, and Ohio agriculture; and
(4) The purchase of Ohio agricultural products.  (R.C. 901.92(B).)

Healthy Farms and Healthy Schools grants can fund only up to 75% of the estimated total cost of the proposed program for which the grant is sought, and the applicant must provide at least 25% of the estimated total cost.  A school may not receive a grant in excess of $15,000 in any given school year. 

Date introduced: 3/10/09
Committee Assigned: Agriculture & Natural Resources, Chair: John Domenick (D)