2/8/2011
Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass visited Belington Elementary School January 21, to honor Bonnie Plants Third-Grade Cabbage Contest winner Austin Davis with a certificate recognizing his achievement.
“Bonnie Plants has shown great leadership in promoting agricultural education in elementary classrooms with the cabbage contest,” said Commissioner Douglass. “Fewer than two percent of Americans are involved in food production and this program helps maintain a link between our future leaders and the land. It’s also a great way for students to learn about science, food production and personal responsibility.”
In West Virginia, nearly 4,500 students from 68 schools were involved in this year’s contest. Twenty students qualified as finalists and Davis was chosen as the winner. He received a $1,000 savings bond and a certificate from Bonnie Plants. His cabbage was 21 pounds, 19 inches across and 45 inches in circumference.
Nationally, more than 1.5 million third graders in 45 states have gotten hands-on gardening experience growing colossal cabbages. Since 1995, Bonnie Plants has provided free “O.S. Cross,” or oversized, cabbage plants to students whose teachers have signed up for the program.
Sign up for the 2011 spring program is now. Deadline to become involved in West Virginia in this year’s program is April 15. Bonnie Plants is the largest producer of vegetable and herbs in North America. For more information, visit
www.bonnieplants.com.
Contact Information
Gus R. Douglass
douglass@ag.state.wv.us