Chyna Hayes teaches kindergarten at C. Ray Gates Elementary School in Grand Island, Nebraska, and has been involved with the Agriculture in the Classroom Program for many years. One of her inspirations was the development of
a plan to help her students understand that good food starts with the producer or farmer and ends with the consumer. Chyna received a grant from an agri-business to purchase resources for her classroom. Literature books, videos, educational games and other agriculture-related materials for her classroom were purchased to enrich her lesson plans.

The students were introduced to the importance of nutritious foods and a healthy lifestyle. She developed activities that integrated agriculture into the required State Standards in the basic subject areas of math, science, social studies and reading/writing.

As a closure for the Healthy Foods/Healthy Lifestyle Unit, Chyna wanted to involve the community and especially the parents of her students. She invited parents, grandparents and community people to a pot-luck dinner and a program that involved the kindergarten students. The students performed songs and dances to reinforce the concept that good food starts with the producer.

Chyna's enthusiasm and commitment to the Agriculture in the Classroom Program has increased teachers' interest in the Ag Pen Pal Program and summer workshops for teachers to help them bring agriculture into their classrooms.