Security Health Plan Chief Administrative Officer Steve Youso announced recently that the Marshfield-based health maintenance organization has awarded grants for Sprouting Health Kids, a childcare and school garden campaign against childhood obesity. The Old School Arts & Learning Center in Rhinelander is among the recipients of the Security Health Plan garden grant.

Security Health Plan has allocated $100,000 for nearly 50 mini-grants that will help establish school and community-based gardens throughout Security Health Plan’s 36-county service area. Sprouting Health Kids is for all children, from toddler to high school age, and was developed in partnership with the Wood County Health Department.

The grants help schools purchase supplies needed to create a garden, including soil, fertilizer, lumber for raised beds, water barrels, fencing, tools and gardening books. Security Health Plan will also sponsor workshops to help recipients create a garden action plan and curriculum for the classroom.