Caryville Student Awarded $1000 Bonnie Plants Scholarship

CARYVILLE, Tenn. – Caryville Elementary School student Carter Lloyd was awarded a $1,000 scholarship as the state winner of the annual Bonnie Plant Farm 3rd Grade Cabbage Program.

Tennessee Agriculture Commissioner Ken Givens along with representatives of Bonnie’s presented the scholarship to Carter, now a 4th grader, in a special ceremony at the school. Carter’s 3rd grade teacher Elda Kate Pierce was also recognized.

“This program is a wonderful way to get kids interested in agriculture, and it teaches them not only the basics of biology but the importance of our food and fiber system as well,” said Givens. “We congratulate Carter on a fine job of gardening and wish him the best. We’re grateful to the folks at Bonnie’s for making this scholarship available to Tennessee students.”

The scholarship was also supported by state Sen. Tommy Kilby and state Rep. William A. Baird.

Carter won the scholarship by growing one of Bonnie’s O.S. Cross, or “oversized” cabbage plants as part of a school project last year. His prize-winning cabbage weighed in at 30 pounds, and was selected by the Department of Agriculture in a statewide drawing from hundreds of entries.

Each year, Bonnie Plant Farm, a producer and marketer of vegetable plants based in Union Springs, Ala., sponsors the scholarship program for 3rd graders in the 44 states to cultivate an interest in and appreciation for gardening.

Carter is the son of Ralph and Kathy Lloyd of Caryville. Carter’s scholarship is a $1,000 interest-bearing bond from Bonnie’s intended to aid with his future education. More information about Bonnie’s Cabbage Program can be found online at www.bonnieplants.com.