Golden Root Award for Shuler Elementary

Shuler has been honored with the 2023 Golden Root Award for Large Schools from the Iowa Farm to School and Early Care Coalition.  This award is a “celebration of Iowa schools, early care and education providers, and residential child care institutes working to grow and share their love of local food and community.”

Shuler Elementary has been a leader in the district’s Farm to School efforts by installing a raised bed garden, planting seeds in their classrooms, leading Shuler’s Garden Squad, participating in SWITCH wellness programming, growing lettuce for students to eat in the cafeteria, hatching chicks, hosting a worm composting bin, making Farm to School connections back to curriculum, and integrating Farm to School into family events.  Waukee’s Dietitian and Farm to School Coordinator, Kaitlyn Scheuermann, said, “Amber and Robin have always been ready and willing to try anything I come to them with because they see the great value in teaching students about a variety of concepts through the practicality and relevance of Farm to School, agriculture, food, and nutrition.  They have helped students create connections to the world around them and are more than deserving of this award.”