Inspiring Kids to Get Outside and Grow a Love of Gardening: Hands-on educational experience returns in 2021 as a safe, remote-friendly activity that awards $1,000 scholarships to students nationwide.
Published: February 20, 2021
Bonnie Plants, the largest grower of vegetable and herb plants in the U.S., is relaunching the 3rd Grade Cabbage Program in 2021 as a safe, remote-friendly learning activity for children to get outside and grow a love of gardening.
“After pausing the 3rd Grade Cabbage Program at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re excited to offer this program to teachers, parents, and students across the country once again,” says Mike Sutterer, President and CEO of Bonnie Plants. “We’ve redesigned the 3rd Grade Cabbage Program with COVID-19 safety in mind, providing a way for teachers and students to safely bring education outdoors and into the backyard or garden.”
Students who participate in the 3rd Grade Cabbage Program gain life skills and a passion for gardening by learning how to grow colossal cabbages. Each student receives a starter cabbage plant and the lessons needed to care for and nurture their plant every step of the way. By the end of the program, kids will reap hefty harvests after cultivating cabbages that can tip the scales at more than 40 pounds!
“The 3rd Grade Cabbage Program is more than just a science experiment — this free educational experience has a long history of enhancing lives through the power of gardening,” Sutterer says. “With the added stress of learning during the pandemic, connecting with nature through gardening has never been more rewarding for the physical and mental well-being of students.”
Students also vie for “Best in State” bragging rights. At the end of the season, teachers from each participating 3rd-grade class select the student who has grown the “best” cabbage, based on size and appearance. The program then awards a $1,000 scholarship to one student in each participating state.
“Students who go through the program are rewarded in more ways than one,” Sutterer says. “Many students choose to donate the cabbage they grow to help feed those in need, giving kids a sense of pride and accomplishment as they learn the importance of giving back and the difference donations can make.”
Getting involved in the 3rd Grade Cabbage Program is free. Teachers and parents can go to https://cabbageprogram.bonnieplants.com/products/bonnie-3rd-grade-cabbages to register their class or student by March 1, 2021. Students’ cabbage plants will be sent directly by mail to their participating school during the selected shipping window. After registering, Bonnie Plants will follow up with instructions just in time for planting, growing, and harvesting, along with a ton of other useful resources to help students learn and succeed along the way.
Through the 3rd Grade Cabbage Program, Bonnie Plants is working with ScottsMiracle-Gro (https://scottsmiraclegro.com/responsibility/foundation/enhancement/), showing firsthand how gardens transform children’s lives by growing hope, self-esteem, positive relationships, and better futures.