In the fall of 2013, Wausau crossing guards went home with fresh-made pickles, and local residents opened their doors to bags full of vegetables following a resounding “ding-dong!” and a scampering of feet. The vegetables came with a note: “Compliments of Thomas Jefferson Elementary Garden.” The Ding-Dong-Ditch act was a Pay-it-Forward practice of the Thomas Jefferson Elementary (TJE) After-School Garden Club to show gratitude to the community that helped bring farm to school to life for students in the garden program.

This Farm to School Success Story was published by Wisconsin Farm to School, with funding from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Email: wifarmtoschool@wi.gov. Publication editing and design by the UW-Madison Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems.