Superintendent of Public Instruction James Lane announced the award of more than $133,000 in farm-to-school grants to six Virginia school divisions, including a $15,622.50 grant for Cumberland County Public Schools to expand production in school greenhouses and gardens and the division’s aquaculture program. Students will perform internships, take field trips and educate their peers about nutrition while discovering career opportunities in agriculture and related industries.

Lane made the announcement while touring agriculture and nutrition-related programs at Cumberland County High School. Earlier in the day, Lane joined students at the elementary school for the annual “Crunch Heard ‘Round the Commonwealth” celebration promoting the inclusion of fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables in school nutrition programs.

School divisions were invited in June to apply for grants of up to $25,000 after the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved the Virginia Department of Education’s request to direct up to $200,000 in federal school nutrition funds to support local efforts to implement or expand farm-to-school programs.