First lady takes growing tips from students

Despite having founded the first White House kitchen garden in many years, Michelle Obama showed she is still open to receiving growing tips on a recent visit to an elementary school.

The first lady was visiting Hollin Meadows Elementary in Virginia with agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack when she stopped to trade advice with pupils.

Mrs Obama was getting a tour of the educational institutions vegetable garden and the local youngsters showed her how the lettuce from the schools plot will be used in this weeks Thanksgiving salad dishes.

The visit was kept a surprise from the students until the morning that the wife of president Barack Obama arrived.

Kids lined up to meet her and receive a hug, with fourth-grader Sydnie Vest explaining it was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

"It was a special hug because that was probably the last time Ill ever be able to do that," she told the Associated Press.

Michelle Obama recently appeared on kids TV show Sesame Street, where she helped celebrate its 40th anniversary by distributing tips on vegetable growing.