This Week in Farm to School 

Farm to school connects local agriculture, schools, and partners to benefit students, educators, farmers, families, and communities.

Farm to School Coalition of NC Listening Sessions

We want to hear from you! Have your voice heard through Farm to School Coalition of NC 2024 Listening Sessions. The listening sessions will occur at 3:30 pm to 5 pm throughout February. (Specific dates and zones listed in the form.)

Purpose: 

1. To learn about what is happening with Farm to School across the state

2. To understand what stakeholders would like to see happen with Farm to School in North Carolina

3. To learn about what resources are needed for partners around the state

Learn more and register!

"I Tried Local..." Training by Growing Minds

February 20, 2024 // 3 pm ET

Growing Minds Farm to School Program is part of Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project, a nonprofit based in Asheville, NC. They are excited to announce the launch of their new resource: “I Tried Local…” A Toolkit for Engaging Kids with Local Food and Farms. It is designed for use in early care and education (ECE) through second grade and offers curriculum alignment. In this training, you will learn about the different components of the Toolkit, hear success stories from farm to school champions across the state, and brainstorm ways you can start using it in your classroom. All are welcome no matter what your experience with farm to school is!

Learn more and register.

Harvesting Solutions: A Trio of Perspectives on Addressing Food Waste from Field to Fork

February 22, 2024 // 1 pm ET

Join the University of California, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Sustainable Food Systems Strategic Initiative Panel for a webinar series on emerging issues within the food system. In this webinar, participants will explore global perspectives on food waste within the food distribution chain, innovative food waste recycling, and statewide consumer education programs.

Learn more and register.

Business of Farming Conference

February 24, 2024 // Asheville, NC // 8 am - 4 pm 

The annual Business of Farming Conference, hosted by the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project, brings together professional farmers from across the Southeast region to network and share resources to grow their farm businesses. Farmers learn about marketing, business planning, and financial management from regional experts and innovative peers. The conference is designed for beginning and established farmers as well as those seriously considering farming as a profession.

Learn more and register.

2024 NC Child Hunger Leaders Conference

February 27, 2024 // Chapel Hill, NC

Registration is open for the 2024 NC Child Hunger Leaders Conference, an annual day of celebration and inspiration for anyone invested in making sure kids have access to healthy food. The one-day event is presented by the Carolina Hunger Initiative and will take place Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at The Friday Conference Center in Chapel Hill. Attendees will have a chance to connect with other child hunger leaders from across the state, learn about new strategies and success stories, and leave reenergized to continue the fight against child hunger.

Learn more and register.

Register Today - New NC State Extension School Garden Course

Spring is approaching which means it’s time to dig back into the school garden! NC State Cooperative Extension’s online school garden course will help you learn more about starting or maintaining a school garden and its connections to Farm to School. Topics in the course include introduction to Farm to School, school garden design, accessibility in school gardens, and more!

Learn more and register.

What’s for Lunch? Lesson Guide

In this activity, developed by KidsGardening, students will have the chance to compare their lunch menus with menus from the past to identify the similarities and differences between foods consumed then and foods we eat today.

Learn more.

NC State Cooperative School Garden Animation 

Make learning come alive and gain inspiration from NC State Cooperative Extension’s new school garden animation. This animation shares about the wonders of Farm to School, and its cornerstone component - school gardens! School gardens are places where students can learn about math, language arts, science, local foods, and more. 

View School Garden Animation.

‘Rhythms of the Land’ Preserves the Untold Stories of Black Farmers

Civil Eats highlights filmmaker and cultural anthropologist Dr. Gail Myers as she discusses the making of her documentary. The documentary shares about the oppressive history of sharecropping and the power of seed saving for Black farmers.

Learn more.

28 Days of Black History

February is Black History Month–celebrate by subscribing to Anti-Racism Daily’s free daily newsletter series in February. This is a great resource for students, workplaces, and anyone dedicated to learning and centering anti-racism. 

Learn more.

GroMoreGood Grassroots Grant 2024

Tomorrow! Deadline: February 9, 2024

The 2024 GroMoreGood Grassroots Grant, brought to you by The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and KidsGardening, is designed to bring the life-enhancing benefits of gardens to communities across the United States. In March, 170 programs will receive $500 in funding to start or improve their garden or greenspace. In addition, fifteen programs will receive an additional $1,000 through their Plus, Pride, and Equity Specialty Awards. Whether you are creating an aquaponics program, developing a native plant garden, updating your raised bed garden, or starting an after-school program garden club, consider applying for the grant opportunity. 

Learn more and apply. 

2024 Creating New Economies Fund (CNEF) Application

Deadline: February 16, 2024

Grassroots organizations in rural North Carolina are encouraged to apply for Resourceful Communities’ 2024 Creating New Economies Fund Grant. This grant funds organizations’ project ideas that support social justice, environmental stewardship, and economic development in your community. All applicants are required to talk to a Resourceful Communities staff person about their project before submitting their application. Grants cannot exceed $15,000. There is no minimum amount that must be requested for an application to be considered, however, grants average between $8,000 to $12,000. 

Learn more and apply. 

Garden Grant Program

Deadline: March 1, 2024

Through the Whole Kids Foundation Garden Grant program, schools and non-profit organizations turn outdoor spaces into powerful hands-on learning gardens that connect kids with food, spark their curiosity, and support classroom curriculum. Their grant program provides a $3,000 monetary grant to support a new or existing edible educational garden located at a K-12 school or non-profit organization. 

Learn more and apply.

Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (USDA NIFA) 

Deadline: April 4, 2024

The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) supports projects that provide education, outreach, and technical assistance for beginning farmers and ranchers in the United States and its territories to enter and/or improve their success in farming, ranching, and management of nonindustrial private forest lands; and provide beginning farmers and ranchers the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to make informed decisions for their operations and enhance their sustainability.

Learn more.

National Farm to School Network Policy Team’s Office Hours

Are you looking for a thought partner for your policy work? Do you have questions about any of the NFSN’s policy updates or resources? The NFSN Policy team is now holding bi-weekly office hours every Tuesday from 3:00 pm to 4:20 ET as a service to partner organizations. This is a dedicated space where you can ask questions about policies relevant to your work, learn about NFSN’s projects, and gain insights from policy work happening across the nation. 

Learn more and sign up.

Blog: A Year in Review of 2023 Farm to School Policies

In reflecting upon the transformative strides made in 2023 for farm to school, the policy team at National Farm to School Network extends heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated advocates who have been the driving force behind this pivotal year. Check out this blog post to learn about the 2023 policy wins!

Learn more.