On March 14, during an assembly for North College Hill Elementary School students, Ohio Department of Agriculture Director David Daniels announced Jared Johnston as the 2015 winner of the Bonnie Plants Cabbage Program. Johnston received a $1,000 scholarship for growing a 17.5-pound cabbage as part of the company’s annual nationwide contest. Daniels’ stop in Cincinnati was part of his travels across the state to celebrate Ohio Agriculture Week, March 14-18.

Ohio elementary student wins scholarship for growing impressive cabbage.

“I am happy to honor Jared Johnston of North College Hill Elementary School for growing an impressive cabbage and being named as Ohio’s 2015 winner,” said Daniels. “The Bonnie Plants Cabbage Program is a great way to keep the next generation involved in agriculture and connected with the source of our food.” 

In 2002, Bonnie Plants started the 3rd Grade Cabbage Program to encourage young people to learn gardening and how to grow vegetables. Each year Bonnie Plants distributes more than 1 million free cabbage plants to students and classrooms all across the nation. Bonnie Plants awards a $1,000 scholarship to one student in each state. Each participating teacher in the state submits a class winner, with the final winner being randomly drawn by each state’s director of agriculture. 

Ohio Agriculture Week is celebrated each March to help educate Ohioans about the importance of the state’s $105 billion food and agriculture industry, on our dinner plates and beyond. This is the first of many stops Daniels will make during Ohio Agriculture Week, March 14-18, to honor local farmers and agribusinesses and the tremendous economic impact they have on the state.