Get Involved: October is Farm to School Month!
Posted on October 9, 2023
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 that nourishes their bodies and minds, cultivates viable farms, and builds vibrant communities.
As part of the Vermont Farm to School & Early Childhood Network, we’re sharing a few ways to get involved, share 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 Monday, October 30, the Network will convene at Vermont Technical College's Campus Center in Randolph Center to share progress and learning, celebrate success, connect with peers, and strategize next steps. Get full details and RSVP.
Learn about the Network’s advocacy efforts, 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. Learn more about these critical programs and how you can get involved.
Invite school and 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 participating farms near you.
Get cooking with Jr Iron Chef VT
March 9, 2024 will mark the 16th 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 8, 2023.
Spread the word
Follow the National Farm to School Network on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and X to see their upcoming stories and offerings. Use the hashtags #F2SMonth and #farmtoschool when you’re posting or finding content, and make sure to tag them so they can reshare your posts.
Find all of Vermont’s farm to school and early childhood stories
The Netowrk 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 the link to [email protected].
Upcoming events and offerings, details to come:
- Farm to School Professional Learning Modules for Vermont Educators: The Netowrk has designed a series of professional learning modules that can be tailored to specific school needs. More information to come, reach out to [email protected] if you’re interested in this opportunity for your school.
- Vermont FEED 2023 Farm to School Webinar Series: We're hosting a webinar series sharing innovative success stories and strategies from across the Northeast. All are invited to hear how farm to school champions are making connections among the classroom, cafeteria, and community. Look for updates on our calendar.