Get Involved: October is Farm to School Month!
Posted on September 27, 2024
October is National Farm to School Month, a time for celebrating and supporting our vision to engage every child in a local food and farm culture!
What is farm to school? At the Pennsylvania Farm to School Network September Virtual Open House, educator Courtney Mulcahy shared, “Farm to school helps make food real. It connects kids to all the parts of the food system. Where food comes from, where it goes, how to grow, and cook, and savor food; and who or what is involved in all of that. It also helps kids think about what food does for them—how it nourishes them and makes them feel. And, perhaps most important, farm to school helps students think about the places they exist and interact in the food system, how they can be involved and how they can make change if they want to.”
As part of the Vermont Farm to School & Early Childhood Network, we’re sharing a few ways to get involved, communicate your good work, and deepen your farm to school and early childhood learning.
If your organization or school has events or resources to share, keep us in the loop at [email protected].
Meet your Network
Whether you're a longtime farm to school champion or brand new to the movement, everyone is welcome to plug into farm to school and early childhood projects and events from across the state. On Wednesday, October 9 the Network will convene at Franklin Events Center in Rutland to celebrate our past year and plan for the future. Get full details and RSVP.
Farm Fresh School Meals for All
As a Network, we’re advocating for the strengthening and expansion of Vermont farm to school and early childhood programs. To reach our goal, we need to maintain funding for The Farm to School & Early Childhood Grant Program and the Local Foods Incentive Program. Show your support.
Fund Your Work
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture's Farm to School and Early Childhood Capacity Building Grant includes both financial and technical assistance—it’s this combination that makes the grant so impactful. Applications open October 3: Find grant details and apply.
Invite School & State Leaders to See Your Work in Action
Share the impact of our collective work with those who can influence its growth: invite a legislator, school board member, or school administrator to lunch in the cafeteria, a student harvest festival, or a tour of your school garden. When local leaders see farm to school firsthand, they can become our best allies for support. Use our School Leaders Campaign Toolkit and National Farm to School Network’s How to Host Site Visits for planning tips and talking points.
Thank Your Local Farmers
Be on the lookout for our blue and white This Farm Feeds Vermont Kids lawn signs on the landscape! All Vermont farmers selling to school and early childhood programs are invited to post the sign on their farm or market booth this month. 100+ Vermont farms feed our youth across the state through early childhood programs and school nutrition programs, show yours a little appreciation next time you stop by. Find a farm near you.
Get Cooking with Jr Iron Chef VT
March 29, 2025 will mark the 17th year of the Jr Iron Chef VT competition, a program that teaches communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills by empowering Vermont youth to create locally sourced meals that promote Vermont’s farm to school efforts. Registration opens November 14, 2024.
Spread the Word
Download the 2024 National Farm to School Month Celebration Toolkit, which includes social media graphics, suggested captions, sample messages, a press release template, and other resources that can be shared with your community. Follow the National Farm to School Network on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X to learn more about the national movement.
Find Vermont’s Farm to School & Early Childhood Stories
The Network is working to collect blog posts, news articles, videos, and stories about farm to school and early childhood in Vermont all in one place. If you have a story that should be added, please send it to [email protected].
Photos by Sarah Webb, Ben Hudson