ODH Grant Helps Marion County School District Enjoy Healthy Food

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Oct. 14, 2025

Contact: ODH Office of Communications 614-644-8562

ODH Grant Helps Marion County School District Enjoy Healthy Food

(CALEDONIA, Ohio) - At River Valley Local Schools in Marion County, an Ohio Department of Health (ODH) grant has helped students improve nutrition in their community.

Established in 2023, the district's microfarm - called RV FARM (Fresh. Accessible. Resourceful. Mindful) - has grown significantly beyond the school district's original plan, said Brent Herdman, Food Service Director at River Valley Schools.

"This microfarm provides students with hands-on learning experiences around sustainable farming practices, nutrition, and producing food for the community," Herdman said. "At the same time, it's an opportunity for our food service department to offer truly fresh, locally grown produce in our cafeterias."

The RV FARM is one of many projects supported by ODH's Creating Healthy Communities (CHC) grant program. The farm was jump-started in 2023 with $10,000 from ODH and Marion Public Health's CHC grant, and also in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and a combination of private/corporate donations, grants, and funds raised by his food service team.

"This is an innovative way to demonstrate to students the importance of nurturing their bodies with healthy food choices, lessons that will serve them throughout their lives," said ODH Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff. "We are so glad to be able to support this initiative."

In 2024, the crops produced over 6,000 pounds of produce, from beets to zucchini and a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs in between.

Herdman said the goal for the produce and crops is for at least 80% to be used in the kitchens at River Valley, making it possible for students to enjoy the fruit of their labor through quality produce. The produce is also shared or sold in the community; the proceeds support the food service department, the farm, and student meals.

Launched in 2010, CHC has awarded over $38 million to communities to increase opportunities for physical activity and improve access to healthy foods.

In the 2024-2025 grant year, CHC awarded $3.15 million to fund projects in 31 communities. Below is a list of those projects, along with contact information for each local health department:

Adams County Health Department ($100,000 award)

Contact: Debbie Ryan, [email protected]

• Community Garden at Coffee Shop in Peebles.
• Pickleball Courts at Adams County Senior Citizens Council Building.
• Contracting with Grant Writer for Active Living Funding Opportunities.

Allen County Public Health ($100,000)

Contact: Sarah Misiakiewicz, [email protected]

• Assessment of College Student Food Insecurity in Allen County.
• Hospital Food Pantry in Lima.
• Bike Racks & Sharrows in Lima.
• Garden Beds for Youth Gardening Program in Lima.

Athens City-County Health Department ($120,000)

Contact: Meredith Erlewine, [email protected]

• Inclusive Sports Pilot Project - opportunities for youth with disabilities in Athens City Schools.
• Public transit - increasing usage among members of Athens County senior centers.
• Nutrition standards at Neighbors Community Choice Food Center and the Heritage Community Clinic.
• Pedestrian infrastructure - installing an accessible entrance ramp at Strouds Run State Park.

Cincinnati Health Department ($80,000)

Contact: Tiffany White, [email protected]

• Supporting Wellness at Pantries (SWAP) and addressing food waste at the Hartwell Pantry; Hartwell neighborhood.
• Installing wayfinding signage, crosswalks, and a street mural; Carthage neighborhood.
• Installing a traffic garden at an elementary school; East Westwood neighborhood.

Clark County Combined Health District ($95,000)

Contact: Ashley Maksvytis, [email protected]

• Community-supported agriculture program with Visioning Gardens; Promise Neighborhood.
• Create a new bike share program with the library; Springfield.

Franklin County Public Health ($100,000)

Contact: Unity Johnson, [email protected]

• Conducting walk and transit audits to inform bus stop improvements in 2026; Whitehall.
• Partnership building with new Community Health Action Teams (CHAT); Franklin County.

Greene County Public Health ($95,000)

Contact: Loressa Gonyer, [email protected]

• Active Transportation Plan in Fairborn.
• Establishment of Food Council in Greene County.
• New Farmers Market in Xenia.

Holmes County General Health District ($100,000)

Contact: Rebecca Starner, [email protected]

• New Farmers Market in Holmesville.
• Improvements to Clay St. Park in Millersburg.
• Hiring of Community Ambassador to Engage with County Residents.

Huron County Public Health ($100,000)

Contact: Sydney Raifsnider, [email protected]

• Food Pantries - Implementing SWAP and refrigeration at Neighbor to Neighbor Food Pantry.
• Adding a crosswalk, bike racks, and hydration stations at Greenwich Reservoir Park.
• Parks/Playground - new playground equipment at Woodbine Park and Willard City Park.

Knox County Health Department ($120,000)

Contact: Tami Ruhl, [email protected]

• New winter farmers' market in Mount Vernon.
• Adding recumbent bikes to bike shares in Knox County.
• Implementing nutrition standards at ACTS food pantry.

Lake County General Health District ($95,000)

Contact: Tiffany Wurts, [email protected]

• SNAP Acceptance at Painesville Farmers Market.
• Improvements to Huntington Park in Painesville.
• Establishing New Partnerships in Eastlake and Painesville.

Licking County Health Department ($100,000)

Contact: Kierstin Jay, [email protected]

• Community Health Improvement Subcommittee in Licking County.
• New Bus Shelters in Licking County.
• Community Garden in Licking County.

Mahoning County Public Health ($95,000)

Contact: Lisa Slipkovich, [email protected]

• Pop-up Farmers Markets in Sebring.

• Public Transit Assessment and Planning in Sebring.
• Food Pantry Improvements in Sebring.

Marion Public Health ($105,000)

Contact: Cory Pierce, [email protected]

• Playground Improvements at Boys & Girls Club of Marion.
• School Wellness Policy at River Valley Local Schools.
• Re-establishment of Marion County Built Environment Action Team.

Medina County Health Department ($95,000)

Contact: Erin Schmitt, [email protected]

• Farmers' market improvements in Medina County.
• Conducting walk audits to determine priority improvements needed in Lodi.
• Partnership building: forming partnerships with key decision makers and community members and establishing a coalition.

Ottawa County Health Department ($95,000)

Contact: Melanie Herron, [email protected]

• Installing bike racks at schools for Safe Routes to School; Clay Township.
• Supporting Wellness at Pantries (SWAP); Port Clinton.
• Partnership building; Ottawa County.

Perry County Health Department ($100,000)

Contact: Jenny LaRue, [email protected]

• Establishing a community garden; New Straitsville.
• Park Improvements in New Lexington.

Public Health-Dayton & Montgomery County ($110,000)

Contact: Amy McAllister, [email protected]

• Hydroponic garden at City Day Community School
• Adding benches and a shade structure at Liberation Park
• Partnership Building: connecting with public health professionals, community planners, and residents, with focus on food rescue work.

Putnam County Health Department ($95,000)

Contact: Andrew Burwell, [email protected]

• Implementing SNAP at Ottawa Farmers Market.
• Assessing Ottawa Memorial Park for priority improvements with focus on ADA accessibility.
• Partnership building with community residents and partners to establish a coalition.

Richland Public Health ($100,000)

Contact: Leslie DeShane, [email protected]

• Installing a hoop house and garden at Crestview School District.
• Adding trail improvements at Parkview Trails in Mansfield.
• Installing playground equipment at King Street Park.

Ross County Health District ($100,000)

Contact: Jordan George, [email protected]

• Multi-Use Trail at OU-Chillicothe.
• Community Garden at Food Pantry in Bainbridge.
• Gaga Pit at Community Center in Bainbridge.

Sandusky County Public Health ($100,000)

Contact: Laura Bogard, [email protected]

• Crosswalks and Signal Beacons at Intersection Near School in Fremont.
• Signage at Intersections of North Coast Inland Trail and Roadways in Sandusky County.
• Community Gardens at Church and YMCA in Fremont.

Summit County Public Health ($120,000)

Contact: Shelby Mills, [email protected]

• Implementing a new garden at The Well CDC.
• Adding a history story walk in Central Barberton.
• Implementing improvements at Sherbondy Park to enhance social interaction.

Toledo-Lucas County Health Department ($120,000)

Contact: Amy Abodeely, [email protected]

• Community and Agriculture Resilience Audit Tool; Lucas County.
• Healthy food retail and Produce Perks at corner stores; Toledo.
• Installing fix-it stations and water filling stations on area multi-use paths; Toledo.
• Active Transportation Plan, Vision Zero Plan, and School Travel Plans; Toledo.

Trumbull County Combined Health District ($100,000)

Contact: Kris Kriebel, [email protected]

• Transportation Ambassador Program in Warren.
• Safer Streets Demonstration Project in Niles.
• Nutrition Policy at Food Pantry in Churchill.

Tuscarawas County General Health District ($95,000)

Contact: Alexis Wilson, [email protected]

• Food pantries - adding four blessing boxes in areas throughout Newcomerstown.
• Adding trail improvements at Simmonds-Heller Park.

Vinton County Health Department ($100,000)

Contact: Cassie Carver [email protected]

• Park and playground upgrades; Wilkesville.
• Implementing HER guidelines at a pantry; Vinton County.

Washington County Health Department ($110,000)

Contact: Mary Barnas, [email protected]

• Installing crosswalks and other supportive pedestrian infrastructure; Marietta.
• Implementing food service guidelines and a farm to institution policy at the Washington County Home; Marietta.

Wayne County Health Department ($95,000)

Contact: Elesa Eaken, [email protected]

• Creating a new farmers' market in Orrville.
• Installing new playground equipment in Orrville.
• Partnership building in Orrville.

Wood County Health Department ($110,000)

Contact: Safa Ibrahim, [email protected]

• Feasibility and planning for a new transit system; North Baltimore.
• Creating a new community garden; North Baltimore.
• Partnership building; Bowling Green.

Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department ($100,000)

Contact: Hayley Barker, [email protected]

• Implementing improvements at four different gardens in Putnam.
• Adding trail improvements in Zanesville.
• Increasing food storage capabilities at the Eastside Community Ministries food pantry.