The pleasures of eating ... grass

This is Howard Brosius, a force to contend with and the inventor of a growing system of covered cedar boxes called Micro Farms. They're really fancy raised beds with heat, lids and light that can be useful year-round. Howard's got several vegetable-growing programs going for kids in the city and suburbs, including this one is at Awbury Arboretum in Germantown. Here, he's showing the kids (from two day cares in the neighborhood) sprouts from cool-weather vegetables they sowed the seed for.

One little guy was seen chomping on some chives. They were half in, half out, of his mouth. One of his pals yelled, "Why are you eating grass?"  Whoever said eating your vegetables had to be a humorless, boring affair? These kids were so engaged. They couldn't wait to taste sprigs of parsley, delicate beet greens, chives, and other stuff from the market that Howard and his wife D.J. brought to "class." We're talking carrots, cucumbers, asparagus, peppers.

Story coming on Friday, and I have to say, I've seen and read and written my fair share about kids and growing vegetables.  This was the first time I've seen children this little - 2,3,5 - this excited. Just goes to show ... you can't start too early.