April 2, 2020
A note from our team
Dear Farm to ECE Collaborative, 

It was wonderful to check in a couple of weeks ago, and we hope you all are still faring well amidst all of this uncertainty. On the call, y’all expressed interest in virtual training opportunities around Farm to ECE, so we have compiled some existing training webinars and resources here around the requested topics: Local Food Purchasing and Gardening. We have also included COVID-19 specific resources and information on funding opportunities. 

We plan to send out training opportunities every couple of weeks, and in the future we plan to record and distribute webinars on new topics. Go ahead and save the date for Tuesday, April 14 at 10am for Local Foods Purchasing 101, featuring Lynn Policastro (Wake County Smart Start), Jen Kozacek (CACFP) and our very own Shironda Brown. 

Our team would love to hear back from you if you have any other needs or ways we can support your work, any challenges you face, as well as your accomplishments - through pictures, stories, and warm and fuzzy moments at your sites so we can share them here and stay connected to one another.

As a friendly reminder, affinity groups will continue as a way to connect, and see below for our mini-grant opportunity for ECE programs in this Collaborative. 

Thanks all and be well,
Caroline

Mini-Grant Information

Complete the application below by May 15, 2020 to receive your $600 mini-grant for Farm to ECE activities in your program! 

Invoice and mini-grant instructions were sent to team leads by Mia last Friday 04.03.20
COVID-19 Resources
Coronavirus Resources and Information for Educators

As concerns around coronavirus (COVID-19) increase in the U.S. and around the world, we'll be curating this post to give you information about COVID-19, how you can prepare for it in your program(s), and more.

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info.teachstone.com
COVID-19 Resources for Farm to School and ECE

National Farm to School Network is compiling resources related to COVID-19 that will be relevant to the farm to school and farm to early care and education community.

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www.farmtoschool.org
COVID-19 Homepage

COVID-19 Updates and Resources from CEFS We hope you are all safe & healthy during this challenging time.

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cefs.ncsu.edu
Funding Opportunities
North Carolina COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Loans for Small...

The North Carolina COVID-19 Rapid Recovery Lending program supports North Carolina small businesses and family farms as they recover from the economic impact of COVID-19.

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ncrapidrecovery.org
Grant Opportunities * No Kid Hungry NC

Grant Opportunities Emergency Relief Grants (COVID-19) from No Kid Hungry No Kid Hungry is offering real time funding and assistance for schools and ...

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nokidhungrync.org
Local Purchasing Resources
CSA and your Early Care & Education Program

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a way to buy local food directly from a farmer.

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www.rootedwi.org
Getting Started with Local Foods Purchasing

Procuring local fruits and vegetables is one of the easiest places to start. Procuring local milk can be easy, too.

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www.farmtoschool.org
Local Purchasing for Family Child Care Providers

Farm to early care and education enriches the connection communities have with fresh, healthy food and local food producers by enhancing food purchasing and education practices in early care and education settings like family child care homes.

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www.farmtoschool.org
Gardening Resources
Tips for Starting a Container Garden

You can grow potatoes on your porch, strawberries on your stoop, cilantro on your sill or tomatoes on your...top step.

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homegrown.extension.ncsu.edu
Growing Edibles in Containers

Selecting containers: Edible plants can be grown in many different types of purchased, built, or...

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naturalearning.org
Starting Seeds in the Spring

The best time to start seeds is based on the last spring frost date for your area minus the length of time required for seeds to...

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naturalearning.org
Farm to ECE Spotlight
Tenisha and Steffen McGhee sent in these wonderful pictures from their Farm to ECE projects at East Carolina Kiddie College in Greenville, NC.
Upcoming Events
Center Director Affinity Group Call
April 2, 2020
1:00-2:00 pm
Join Zoom Meeting

Child Care Staff Affinity Group Call
April 7, 2020
12:30-1:30 pm
Join Zoom Meeting

Local Foods Purchasing 101
April 14, 2020
10:00 am 
Featuring Lynn Policastro (Wake County Smart Start), Jen Kozacek (CACFP) and our very own Shironda Brown. 
*Link coming

Technical Assistance Provider Affinity Group Call
April 23, 2020
1:00-2:00 pm
Join Zoom Meeting

Senior Leader Affinity Group Call
April 30, 2020
3:30-4:30 pm
Join Zoom Meeting

Working on a project in your center or have a helpful resource you would like to share? 

Email pictures/ URLs and a brief description to Mia

We will include these in our next update email!

In the meantime, make sure to check out our Farm to ECE Facebook Group to share your resources today!
NC Farm to Early Care and Education

NC Farm to Early Care and Education Farm to Early Care and Education (Farm to ECE) enhances the health and education of young children by developing systems and experiential learning that connect children and their families with local food and...

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cefs.ncsu.edu
CEFS is a partnership of North Carolina State University, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

  A ll funds raised through CEFS’ fundraising initiatives are collected and managed by The North Carolina Agricultural Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization (Tax ID# 56-6049304). You will receive a receipt for your donation.