When schools and community partners unite, students benefit from broader support, innovative ideas, and meaningful opportunities.
Explore the sections on this page to see the direct impact of these partnerships on Newton County students.
NEF’s two‑year Veggie‑Ready Certification program brought hands-on farm‑to‑school learning to Pre‑K and Kindergarten classrooms across Newton County Schools, connecting young students with local agriculture through classroom lessons, farm visits, taste tests, and family engagement. This collaboration expanded garden grants, nutrition workshops, and districtwide farm‑to‑school opportunities—helping children build early, lifelong habits around fresh, healthy foods.
Youth Voice Matters and the Newton Education Foundation collaborated to bring a youth‑led listening initiative to every middle school in Newton County, ensuring eighth graders had a meaningful space to share their experiences and ideas. Trained high‑school facilitators, supported by adult allies, led six sessions with 81 students, creating brave, creative environments where teens could define what helps them thrive and identify priorities for stronger school and community support. Together, the partnership is helping ensure student perspectives actively shape future programs, investments, and decision‑making.
Let’s Get Veggie Ready! USDA Farm to School Grant Program Impact Report
Click to see a video summary of the program, in which NCS Pre-K and Kindergarten students developed new relationships with vegetables and healthy eating.
Youth Voice Matters: Listening Sessions Explore What Helps Students Thrive
A youth‑led collaborative project revealed what helps eighth graders thrive and how adults can better support their voices and experiences.
Farm‑to‑School Spotlight: Cooking Demo with Chef Asata
A lively, hands‑on demo at NCS's third annual Literacy Extravaganza showed families how simple, fresh ingredients can spark healthier habits at home.
First Year of USDA Farm-to-School Grant Collaboration is a Resounding Success!
One year in, close to 400 students from three elementary schools have earned their "Veggie Ready Certification" and learned how their food grows.
Fairview Elementary Students – How Does Your Garden Grow?
After a year of planning and planting with their teacher, Fairview Elementary students delight in the vegetables they grew.
After Several Delays a Garden Grows at Clements Middle School
Spring weather allows students in the Green Thumb Circle at Clements Middle School to design and plant their school garden.
Roots to Fruits Project has Longterm Goals for Eastside High School
Students are planting a fruit orchard at Eastside High that they hope will eventually provide fruit for their school and local food banks.
Fairview Elementary School Students Study Soil and Prepare to Plant a Garden
At Fairview Elementary School, a new garden is not just a pretty place for things to grow but an outdoor classroom that will provide a rich learning environment for all students.
Newton Education Foundation Receives $94,000 USDA Farm-to-School Grant
NEF was awarded a Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program Grant to fund a collaboration that will expand Newton County Schools’ existing Farm to School efforts.