The Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment will accept applications from child-care providers for a nutrition education program through mid-February.

The 2024 Farm to Early Care and Education program allows child-care locations to teach children about healthy, local foods through hands-on activities such as gardening, cooking, taste tests and nutrition lessons, according to a Weld County news release. The initiative aims to encourage children to try nutritious foods by involving them in the process of growing and preparing fruits and vegetables for meals and snacks.

Selected providers will receive a raised garden bed with prepared soil at their facility, as well as seeds, plants and the “Grow It, Try It, Like It” nutrition education curriculum, the release said.

A master gardener from Colorado State University Extension will also offer gardening guidance and education to selected child-care centers throughout the growing season.

Officials created the program in 2023 with community partners, hoping to foster a connection between children and their food by showing them how local fruits and vegetables are grown and where they come from, according to the release.

The program has served seven child-care centers and five child-care family homes, impacting 521 children and their families, Weld County reported. Each location received 11 raised beds, soil, plants and seeds.

The Weld Health Department encourages those interested in the program to apply by Feb. 9. The county will notify selected applicants by Feb. 20.

For more information or to apply, contact Weld Health communication specialist Mike Schwan at (970) 400-2343 or go to weld.gov/go/Farm2ECE.