GREENFIELD — A Greenfield-Central High School student is a finalist for a state award for his work maintaining a community garden that provides the school’s cafeteria with fresh food for students.
Ethan Elsbury, 17, of Greenfield, was named a distinguished finalist for the 2018 Spirit of Community Award, which recognizes the community service efforts of hundreds across the country.
Elsbury, a junior, was recognized for the more than 400 hours he’s spent in the last year creating and maintaining a garden outside of Greenfield-Central High School. He grew enough fresh produce this school year to feed 2,800 students at three of the district’s schools, according to a news release.
Elsbury’s passion for agriculture inspired him to create the garden a year ago. He collected some $3,500 from businesses and organizations to purchase supplies, and struck a deal with the district’s food service director to use the produce he grew in school lunches.
The Spirit of Community Award, which is presented annually by insurance company Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, recognizes such volunteerism, according to a news release.
Only a handful of students from each state are chosen as distinguished finalists; Elsbury is one of six Indiana high school and middle school students being recognized this year.
Just one high school and one middle school student from each state is picked to be the state’s honoree and receive a $1,000 prize. The rest of the finalists, like Elsbury, are presented with a medal denoting their achievement.
Elsbury received the award last week at Greenfield-Central’s underclassmen awards ceremony.
With the help of his family and friends, Elsbury grows corn, tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, green beans and other produce that he then donates to the school district.
At first, his vegetables were used just in the high school cafeteria; but as the garden grew, the district began using them in its other schools’ cafeterias, as well.
The goods Elsbury provides are fresher than anything the district can buy from its distributors, school officials say.
Elsbury, the president of his school’s FFA group, hoped creating the garden would serve as an opportunity to teach his classmates about fresh produce, the difference in taste and texture when something goes straight from the ground to the table, he told the Daily Reporter.
He said it was humbling to see his hard work recognized nationally. As he looks forward to his senior year, he hopes to see the garden double in size and make plans to ensure the garden is tended after he graduates.