Cascade Student Awarded $1,000 Bonnie Plants Scholarship

WARTRACE, Tenn. – Cascade Elementary School student Jessica Woodard was awarded a $1,000 scholarship as the state winner of the annual Bonnie Plant Farm 3rd Grade Cabbage Program.

Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Ken Givens along with representatives of Bonnie’s presented the scholarship to Jessica, now a 4th grader, in a special ceremony at the school.  Jessica’s 3rd grade teacher, Mrs. Dreonn Sintic, was also recognized.

“This program is a wonderful way to get kids interested in agriculture, and it teaches them not only the basics of biology but the importance of our food and fiber system as well,” said Givens.  “We congratulate Jessica on a fine job of gardening and wish her the best.  We’re grateful to the folks at Bonnie’s for making this scholarship available to Tennessee students.”

The scholarship was also supported by state Sen. Jim Tracy and state Rep. Curt Cobb.  Bedford County Farm Bureau president Marty Davis attended the event to congratulate Jessica on behalf of the state’s largest farm organization.

Jessica won the scholarship by growing one of Bonnie’s O.S. Cross, or “oversized” cabbage plants as part of a school project last year.  Her prize-winning cabbage weighed in at more than 22 pounds, and was selected by the state Department of Agriculture in a statewide drawing from hundreds of entries.

Jessica is the daughter of Scott and Christy Woodard of Wartrace.  Jessica’s scholarship is a $1,000 interest-bearing bond from Bonnie’s intended to aid with her future education.

Each year, Bonnie Plant Farm, a producer and marketer of vegetable plants based in Union Springs, Ala., sponsors the scholarship program for 3rd graders in the 44 states to cultivate an interest in and appreciation for gardening.  More information about Bonnie’s Cabbage Program can be found online at www.bonnieplants.com.