Red radishes, blue ribbons and sparkling smiles abound when Plant*Grow*Eat (P*G*E) elementary students cheerfully hop off the bus and proudly carry their lovingly nurtured produce to the Infield Farm at the San Diego County Fair each spring. Generous Don Diego Scholarship Foundation bus transportation sponsors provide a memorable agriculture adventure to students from Title 1 schools throughout San Diego County, who otherwise could not share in the farm-fresh fun.
Last year, group and individual sponsors enabled Don Diego to provide 89 buses transporting more than 4,000 students; many of whom had never been to the Fair, met farm animals, or glimpsed the Pacific Ocean. After receiving praise and ribbons from Fair judges and tasting their delicious, nutritious veggies, kids often say they are eager to plant small gardens at home – even when that home is an urban apartment. All enjoy an exciting growth experience.
As a bus sponsor, you will receive free publicity, VIP parking and admission to the Fair on “your” day plus the immense gratification of knowing you are planting the seeds for a lifetime appreciation of agriculture and healthy eating.
Sponsors say the P*G*E bus program can’t be “beet!” SDG&E’s Morgan Justice-Black and Addie Woodard join in the Infield Farm fun year after year, saying they love seeing the fruits of their company’s sponsorship. They confirm, “Our donation is very well-spent. It’s so cool to know that children are learning where their food comes from.”
To hop on the bus sponsorship program and provide an enduring, edible education, visit www.staging.dondiegoscholarship.org, email info@dondiegosf.org or call 858-792-4210.
The Don Diego Scholarship Foundation was named for Don Diego, AKA Tom Hernandez, who served as the Fair’s welcoming goodwill ambassador from 1947-1984.
To date since its inception in 1986, the Foundation has awarded $1,040,000 in scholarships to 257 students and in agriculture education grants. More information is at staging.dondiegoscholarship.org and facebook.com/DonDiegoScholarship.