January 12, 2023

This Week in Farm to School 

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

Music in the Garden

January 18, 2023 // 2 pm ET

Join the next session of the Growing School Garden Summit Webinar Series hosted by the School Garden Support Organization Network. This session will demonstrate how to incorporate multi-sensory musical experiences into your school garden curriculum. Symon Hajjar of Hot Toast Music Co. will share songs and lesson ideas, lead activities, and facilitate discussion about how to take advantage of the integrated learning opportunities found in a garden. 

Register here.

Cooking Matters: Nutrition for the New Year

January 18 - February 22, 2023 // 7 pm ET

Join the Carolina Hunger Initiative for free, online nutrition and cooking education lessons. The Cooking Matters at Home program shares information about buying healthy, affordable foods that families can prepare and eat together at home. All lessons will be held via Zoom. The Zoom link will be sent to participants after completing the registration form.

Learn more and register here.

Structural Racism and Health Implications 

January 20, 2023 // 11 am - 1 pm ET

Join the Durham County Food Security Office for their first of four virtual trainings focused on food justice. The first session will be led by Dr. Jay Pearson from the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University. For more information, contact Mary Oxendine, moxendine@dconc.gov.

Join the training here.

Seasonal Maintenance of Major Fruit and Vegetable Crops Webinar

January 24, 2023 // 12 pm - 1 pm ET

Join Melissa Bell from the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) and John Lyttle, NC Cooperative Extension Agent for Durham County for a free webinar. They will focus on 4 common summer crops and 4 common fall/winter crops. They will discuss varieties, trellising options, pruning for plant health and disease control, as well as some common pests.

Learn more here.

2023 NC Child Hunger Leaders Conference

February 22, 2023 // 8 am - 4 pm ET

Registration is now open for the 2023 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 at UNC and will take place 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.  

Register here.

Farm to Tray: How Students in an NC County are Growing Food for School Lunches

In Halifax County, students plant, grow, and harvest the fresh fruits and vegetables that become school meals.

Read more here.

The North Carolina Local Food Council Regional Representative Applications

The North Carolina Local Food Council is looking to welcome two Regional Representatives to the team! Regional Representatives are integral members of the Council, bringing the needs and goals of local food councils from across the state to the table. Currently, they are seeking individuals in the Triad and Northeast regions that are passionate about local food to fill these positions.

Learn more here.

Project S.O.W.: Food Gardening with Justice in Mind

Explore Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Project S.O.W. is a food gardening curriculum for educators who work with young people ages 13-19, centering personal growth, community connection, and equity. Youth work together to investigate how to grow food, explore their relationships with the land and food system, and practice leadership in their communities. 

Learn more here.

Life Lab-Certified School Garden Educator

Building on Life Lab’s 40 years of experience in the school garden movement, they’ve updated and put together a series of 4 virtual courses that will guide and support educators in becoming a Life Lab-Certified School Garden Educator. Upon completion of the full series of 4 courses, participants will receive a certificate and the distinction of being a certified garden educator. Live sessions will be every Monday from 3:30 - 5:00 PST starting January 23rd. 

Learn more here.

3 Reasons Why Hiring DEI Staff Won’t Solve All of Your DEI Problems

Your organization does need equity, diversity, and inclusion staff to help catalyze and facilitate change, but they can’t be expected to do all the work. Tiffany McClain shares how to get started integrating equity into your work plans and decision-making processes. 

Watch here.

Soul Fire Farm Liberation on Land Video Series - Seed Keeping // Conservación de Semillas

This video is part of The Soul Fire Farm Liberation on Land Skillshare Video Series. Seeds are living links of a historical chain and much more! Join Soul Fire Farm as they prepare you to start keeping seeds for your farm, garden, or community.

Watch here.

2023 Young Farmer Grants

Tomorrow! Deadline: January 13, 2023

The National Young Farmers Coalition is partnering with Chipotle to offer $5,000 grants to 75 young farmers and ranchers to support them in building careers in agriculture. 

Learn more here.

Fund for Frontline Power Grant

Deadline: January 15, 2023

Fund for Frontline Power (F4FP) is launching a new funding opportunity to move resources to frontline communities that are implementing climate solutions that are inclusive, regenerative, replicable, and scalable. This fund has been designed and managed by a 13-member Grassroots Governance Body compromised of grassroots climate justice advocates from across the country. 

Learn more here.

GroMoreGood Grassroots Grants

Deadline: February 10, 2023

The GrowMoreGood 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. The Grassroots Grants are part of The Scotts Miracle-Gro’s larger GroMoreGood initiative, which will bring the life-enhancing benefits of gardens and greenspaces to 10 million children by the end of 2023. 

Learn more here.

2023 NCDA&CS Specialty Crop Block Grant Program

Deadline: March 3, 2023 

The NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is accepting grant applications for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Nonprofits and government agencies wishing to apply should send a pdf draft application to jenni.keith@ncagr.gov. The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program aims to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in the marketplace. The department will accept grant requests up to $200,000.

Learn more here.

School Nutrition Foundation Equipment Grants

Deadline: March 31, 2023

The School Nutrition Foundation is teaming up with industry partners to provide new kitchen equipment to deserving districts. Apply now for the 2023 SNF Equipment Grant Program, featuring applications for five grants! Eligible applicants have the opportunity to win equipment grants, each worth between $20,000 to $100,000 of equipment. Applications and photos must be submitted by a School Nutrition Director. There is a submission cap of 30 applications for each grant. 

Learn more here.

School Meals Advocacy Day

Save the date for the North Carolina Alliance for Health's advocacy day on March 14 to share the importance of school meals with the North Carolina General Assembly.

Register here. 

State Universal Meals Policies

This report created by the National Farm to School Network explores how many states have introduced or passed universal meals. 

Learn more here.

School Meals for All Campaign Letters of Support

The North Carolina Alliance for Health, Carolina Hunger Initiative, the Center for Black Health and Equity, A Better Chance A Better Community (ABC2), and other partners across North Carolina have launched a School Meals for All Campaign! They are looking for organizations and individuals to sign a letter of support regarding the School Meals for All in North Carolina campaign. 

Learn more and sign up here.