Picnic provides for produce programs

Proceeds from the third annual “Picnic on the Farm” from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday will benefit Apple Seeds Teaching Farm at Gulley Park in Fayetteville. The money supports the nonprofit organization’s programs for area school children. The group will move programs to a 2-acre farm off Old Missouri Road this fall.

Kyra Ramsey, co-executive director of Apple Seeds, said the farm worked with some 2,200 area elementary and middle school students through their Farm Lab field trip program and in-school nutrition presentations. She said proceeds from the picnic will help ensure that cost does not hamper schools from participating and that the programs are open to all students.

Other offerings include the Plant to Plate program — a partnership between Apple Seeds, schools and community organizations. Together, they serve students and families through creating activities such as garden clubs, healthy snack classes and school

garden education.

The new farm at Gulley Park will house a teaching kitchen in a retrofitted wood shop. The kitchen will feature a central chef’s station and three cooking stations for students to implement what they’ve learned.

Guests are welcome to bring their own picnic baskets, or they can purchase food and drink from local establishments on hand, such as The Green Goat, Tyler’s Craft BBQ , Pedal Pops and Ozark Beer Co.

NWA Democrat-Gazette/DAVID GOTTSCHALK Christopher Pina, a second-grade student at Walter Turnbow Elementary School in Springdale, tastes fresh vegetables and dip with classmates last month at the Apple Seeds Training Farm in Fayetteville. Three classes from the school participated in a...