Skoi-Yase Primary School students who participated in the district’s student-run maple syrup program were recently presented with a New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) Champions of Change Award for their hard work and dedication to farm-to-school education. Mrs. Jean Ritter-Gaylord, in concert with educators from Seneca County Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE), spearheaded the program. Ms. Anne Morgan, former NYSSBA Area 2 Awards and Recognition Committee Member and current member of the Wayne-Finger Lakes Board of Education, presented the honor during the district’s Oct. 20 Board of Education meeting.

“This recognition is not just given out to anyone,” said Mrs. Ritter-Gaylord, a sentiment that was shared by Ms. Morgan. “It is a well-earned demonstration of the value of farm-to-school education, and the hard work of our students.”

Students in the district’s maple syrup program learned about all the steps in the syrup-making process, from tree tapping and drilling to concentrating the sap. Waterloo High School students boiled the sap, and hosted a pancake breakfast featuring the finished syrup. 

“The main message of farm-to-school is teaching kids about healthy nutrition, eating whole foods, and how to grow foods from start to finish,” said Mrs. Candace Riegel, a nutrition educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension who has worked closely with the Waterloo maple syrup program. “With these programs, we hope students can perhaps grow up to be the next generation of farmers or professionals in agriculture.”