Building Healthy Communities
Building Healthy Communities: Engaging Middle Schools through Project Healthy Schools
Apply Now!
Apply to be a part of Project Healthy Schools now! Thanks to a partnership between Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and the University of Michigan called Building Healthy Communities (BHC): Engaging Middle Schools through Project Healthy Schools, we are able to add new schools to our program. This will provide an opportunity for middle schools to participate in the program while building an environment for long-term sustainability.
Although our current grant period has closed, you may still apply for the program. We will post our open application period once we finalize dates and deadlines. Please note that if there are changes to our application form for our new grant cycle, applications submitted before that update/release may have to be resubmitted. Click on the Learn More button for more information.
About Building Healthy Communities
The Building Healthy Communities program is a collaborative partnership that works to promote healthy school environments in schools across Michigan. For more than a decade, the partnership has encouraged children and families to be active and eat healthy – and in doing so has reduced childhood obesity and increased school performance!
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Michigan Fitness Foundation, United Dairy Industry of Michigan, Wayne State University’s Center for Health and Community Impact, and the University of Michigan collaborate annually to offer the Building Healthy Communities program to elementary and middle schools throughout Michigan.
Virtual Farm Tour
Virtual Farm Tour with U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist Lindsay Tarpley:
Join two-time U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist and soccer player Lindsay Tarpley for a 30-minute tour of Evergreen Dairy in central Michigan. Kris and Carla Wardin will share how they take care of the calves and prepare them to join the milking herd. They will also show how cows are milked and what they feed the cows. We will hear how nutrition is important for the cows and also for students and athletes!
Past Farm Tours
Earth Day Virtual Farm Tour:
Watch this virtual tour of Weber Family Dairy in the thumb region of Michigan to learn how dairy farmers focus on Earth Day every day. Farmer James Weber discusses how he works each day on regenerative practices including responsibly composting and applying nutrients to the soil and keeping surrounding water clean. You will see how James cares for the calves, cows, land, and community.
Scavenger Hunt: Click here to download a Scavenger Hunt to keep students looking for fun facts on the dairy farm.
Mootilda’s Winter Virtual Farm Tour on National Milk Day:
Mootilda returned to celebrate National Milk Day with Farmer Ashley at Sheridan Dairy Farm in Eastern Michigan to see how the calves and cows are cared for during the winter months. During the tour, Farmer Ashley showed how she uses technology to help care for the cows who make the delicious and nutritious milk we all love.
Fall 2020 Virtual Farm Tours:
Grades K – 2nd
Watch the 30-minute tour of Horning Farms in southeast Michigan to get a sneak peek inside the barns and milking parlor. Students will see how the dairy farmers care for their calves and cows, their community and the environment while producing nutritious and delicious milk.
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