Cynthia Sharpe (right) talks about her goat Olive before showing students how to milk a goat. Sharpe’s lesson was part of the 4-H Pizza Growers program which teaches kids about food. (MNJ photo/Ariana Maniatis)
SPRUCE PINE — Local students are learning about the benefits of growing their own food this summer through the 4-H Pizza Growers program in which participants watch pizza ingredients grow in the garden and learn more about food and nutrition.
The project is a joint effort between the Mitchell County Cooperative Extension 4-H Youth Development Program, the Spruce Pine Public Library and the Spruce Pine Housing Authority.
Each Wednesday, students meet at the Housing Authority campus to tend the garden full of pizza ingredients and discuss what they are learning. Students help grow tomatoes, peppers, oregano, basil and thyme.
On Wednesday, July 14, local farmer Cynthia Sharpe brought her milk goat Olive to the event to show the children alternative ways to get food. She showed the group how to milk a goat and spoke about the benefits of fresh goat milk and how milk products get turned into cheese.
Some children even tried their hand at milking Olive.
Jessica Zucchino, the Mitchell County Extension family and consumer sciences agent, said she firmly believes in the program and its mission.
“We are trying to help kids get exposure to how they can grow foods, things that do not exist in their immediate neighborhood but are still a part of the community,” Zucchino said.
In addition to the hands-on learning, students also learn lessons about nutrition and agricultural careers.
Pat Tompkins of Bakersville said she’s enjoyed watching the program grow.
“I just love this program,” she said. “About a year ago, we started planting the beds over by the main building and it has grown into this wonderful program.”