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Blog Archive

Friday, September 20, 2013

Michigan Farm to School News

 

 

NEWS

 

The 2014 Farm to Cafeteria Conference RFP released on September 13th!

The National Farm to School Network released the workshop, poster session and lightning talk RFP on the conference website on September 13th! Take a look if you’re interested in sharing about your Farm to School program at this national conference!

 

Kids Count Data Center

Do you know about the Kids Count national indicators? Check out this database for a wealth of demographic information that may be useful for your farm to school program. There is data available in this vast database for indicators in demographics, economic well-being, education, family and community, health, and safety and risk behaviors. 

 

 

RESOURCES

 

Get ready for October: "Theme of the Day" calendar celebrates Farm to School Month

National Farm to School Month kicks off October 1, but schools and organizations are making plans now! To celebrate and spotlight the many aspects of farm to school, the National Farm to School Network put together a theme of the day calendar that you can use to plan your activities. During October, each theme day will be accompanied by a blog post containing information and activity ideas. To further aid your planning process, a preview of all of the blog posts will be available on farmtoschoolmonth.org starting in mid-August. The blog posts will  be written by a variety of partner organizations throughout the month, providing unique perspectives and stories. Download this PDF version of the calendar, and check out our other resources as well as the items in our shop, such as these "I ate local food today!" stickers.

 

Slow Food USA’s School Garden Guide

A newly released guide on how to jumpstart a Slow Food school garden, with topics ranging from curriculum design to volunteer staffing. http://www.slowfoodusa.org/files/files/slow-food-usa-school-garden-manual.pdf

 

Farm to School Curriculum for High School Students

From DC Greens - http://dcgreens.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/High-School-Lesson-Plans.pdf

From the Kentucky Farm 2 School Curriculum (KF2S) - http://www.kyagr.com/consumer/documents/FD_FS_Curriculum.pdf

 

SPARK Grant-Finder Tool
The SPARK Grant-Finder Tool helps you locate funding for your Physical Education, After school, Early childhood or Coordinated School Health program. Grants can be used for curriculum, teacher training, or equipment.

 

 

OPPORTUNITIES

 

Become a Veggicator Educator

The Veggiecation team is thrilled to announce the launch of the new Veggiecation Educator Training Workshop (VETW)! This new concept gives individuals across the nation the skills and resources needed to teach the Healthy Kids Cooking Classes that Veggiecation has become known for in NY, NJ, and CT. If you are a healthy eating advocate or someone who loves to cook whole foods, this training program is a good way to engage your community in your interests!

 

Healthy Young America Video Contest

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) and Young Invincibles launched the Healthy Young America video contest to encourage young people to get health insurance and take advantage of the new options available to them under the health care law. Submit a video and compete to win from a prize pool of up to $30,000 – and over 100 prizes. Better yet, enter the contest and hope your video goes viral! Entries due by September 23rd.

 

Open Calls for Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Grants

The 2014 Research and Education Grant call for preproposals is now available. Preproposals must be submitted online by 4:00 p.m. CDT, October 24, 2013. Word | PDF | Text

The 2014 Youth Educator Grant call for proposals is now available. Proposals must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. CDT, November 1, 2013.  Word |  PDF |  Text

The 2014 Farmer Rancher Grant call for proposals is now available. Proposals must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. CST, November 14, 2013.  Word |  PDF |  Text

Timelines for NCR-SARE's grant programs can be found here. Sample calls for proposals and lists of recently funded projects can be found here. To receive notifications when calls for proposals are open, contact the NCR-SARE office.

Kids in Need Foundation Invites Applications for 2013 Teacher Grants Program

Grants of up to $500 will be awarded to K-12 educators for projects that strengthen creativity, critical thinking skills, and/or core knowledge by engaging students in the learning process.... 

Deadline: September 30, 2013 

 

Whole Kids Foundation Accepting Applications for School Garden Grant Program

Grants of $2,000 are available to public and private K-12 schools in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada to help fund school garden projects....

Deadline: October 31, 2013 

 

Lowe's Toolbox for Education Accepting Applications for K-12 Public School Improvement Projects

Grants of up to $5,000 will support basic necessities, with a preference for funding requests that have a permanent impact, such as facility enhancement as well as landscaping/cleanup projects.... 

Deadline: October 15, 2013 

 

Applications Invited for Terri Lynne Lokoff/Children's Tylenol National Child Care Teacher Awards

Fifty teachers will be selected to receive grants of up to $1,500, plus the chance to win an additional prize of $1,000, in recognition of their dedication to providing high-quality child care.... 

Deadline: December 6, 2013 

 

MA Farm to School seeks Executive Director

The Massachusetts Farm to School Project, a statewide organization in its 10th year of operation, seeks a new Executive Director.The ideal candidate will be a proven leader with significant fundraising, budgeting, public speaking and organizational planning skills. Significant management experience in some aspect of institutional food services, agriculture, food systems work, economic development or non-profit advocacy is required. She/he will be a strategic thinker and a pragmatic supervisor, able to inspire staff and stakeholders to create a vision for the future while overseeing the current work of the organization. For more information and application instructions, please visit their website.

 

University of Wisconsin-Extension Hiring for Two Positions

Community Food Systems AmeriCorps Vista Position

Bi-Lingual Nutrition & Financial Educator Position Open

 

Regional Food System Coordinator at CAFF in California
CAFF is hiring a Regional Food Systems Coordinator to provide assistance to regional programs and to staff statewide networks, such as CA FoodCorps and the Buy Fresh Buy Local Network. See the attached job description for more information. Position closes on September 20, 2013.



EVENTS

 

MI Farm to School Trainings provided by MSU Center for Regional Food Systems

·         Tuesday, September 24th, 12:30 – 4:30 pm

Gratiot Isabella RESD (Regional Education Service District), 1131 E. Center St, Ithaca, MI

·         Wednesday, September 25th, 12:30 – 4:30 pm

Odawa Casino & Resort, 1760 Lears Rd., Petoskey, MI

·         Friday, September 27th, 12:30 – 4:30 pm with an optional tour of Detroit Eastern Market beginning at 10:30 am with lunch to follow

Detroit Eastern Market, Shed 3, Detroit, MI

·         Tuesday, October 1st, 12:30 – 4:30 pm

Kalamazoo Regional Education Service Agency (KRESA) West Campus Site, 4606 Croyden Ave, Kalamazoo, MI

 

RSVP for any one of these trainings here – http://msucarrs.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_6fLZ14SgxFPdMmF. RSVPs will be accepted on a first come first serve basis as space allows for each training location. If you have any questions or need any additional information, please contact Julia Smith (smith503@msu.edu or 517-432-4525), Farm to School Specialist with the MSU Center for Regional Food Systems and manager of the MI Farm to School Grant Program.

 

 

Online Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) course offered for growers, processors

Cornell University offers two sessions of Implementing GAPs: A Key to Produce Safety, a self-directed online course on Good Agricultural Practices. The sessions are Sept. 18-Oct. 10 and Oct. 23-Nov. 12, 2013. The course typically takes 15-20 hours to complete. Course fee is $190.

 

Illinois Farm Bureau: 3rd Annual Local and Regional Food Summit

You are invited to attend the third annual Local and Regional Food Summit on November 12, 2013. This one-day event is hosted by the Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Department of Agriculture and Heartland Community College and will take place at Heartland Community College, Astroth Community Education Center, 1500 West Raab Road, Normal, IL. between 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM (Doors open 8:30 AM).

This event is an opportunity for local food stakeholders to convene and learn more about local and regional initiatives in the state. Attendees will include state and federal agencies, colleges and universities, nonprofits, associations, councils, task forces, farmers, government liaisons, economic development officers, chamber of commerce managers, food safety professionals, and others.

While the event is free, seating is limited. Early confirmed registrations are encouraged. Register now by clicking here

 

eXtension Community and Farm to School Webinars

The USDA Farm to School Program (http://www.fns.usda.gov/farmtoschool) is hosting two webinars in partnership with the eXtension Community of Practice in Community, Local, and Regional Food Systems on Wednesday, September 25th at 1 p.m. EST and Wednesday, October 9th at 1 p.m. EST to explore how partnering with Cooperative Extension professionals can support local and regional farm to school programs. The purpose of these webinars is to feature best practices and case examples of how Extension professionals are involved with farm to school and to describe how other farm to school related organizations are collaborating with Extension on many diverse farm to school activities. Join the webinars here - http://www.fns.usda.gov/f2s/webinars.

·         Webinar #1: Partnering with Cooperative Extension to Support Farm to School Wednesday, September 25, 2013 | 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. EST

Presenters: Emily Jackson, Program Director, Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project and Teresa Wiemerslage, Program Coordinator, Iowa State University Extension & Outreach

Emily Jackson, with Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project and SE Regional Lead for the National Farm to School Network, will share the results of a three-state project that focused on identifying the roles Cooperative Extension can play in farm to school (http://growing-minds.org/farm-to-school-resources-for-cooperative-extension ). ASAP also partners with North Carolina Cooperative Extension to strengthen farm to school in Western North Carolina. Teresa Wiemerslage from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will share how she is supporting local food procurement, school wellness, and youth engagement in 16 school districts in Northeast Iowa. 

·         Webinar #2: Partnering with Cooperative Extension to Support Farm to School Wednesday, October 9, 2013 | 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. EST

Presenters: Julia Govis, Program Coordinator, University of Illinois Extension and Morgan Taggart, Program Specialist, Ohio State University Extension

Julia Govis from University of Illinois Extension will share information about how she is leading farm to school in Illinois through the development of educational resources and curriculum to support Extension work in its diverse program areas. Morgan Taggart from Ohio State University Extension will describe how OSU Extension has prioritized involvement in farm to school and how other Extension professionals in urban and suburban areas can be involved with farm to school related activities. Morgan will also share how she is currently involved with farm to school across the Cleveland area through school gardens, local food procurement, and local food and agriculture curriculum development/ instruction.

 

 

Women in Sustainable Ag Conference

Registration is now open for the 4th National Conference for Women in Sustainable Agriculture, Nov. 6 - 8. “This is the first time this conference will be held in the Midwest, and we are excited to invite colleagues from all across the country to join us as presenters and attendees,” said Leigh Adcock, WFAN executive director.

 

Making It in Michigan – Michigan’s Premiere Specialty Food Show

Trade Show and Conference sponsored by the MSU Product Center

November 12, 2013

Lansing Center, Lansing, MI

 

Make plans to attend the 7th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference April 15-18, 2014 in Austin, Texas

The National Farm to Cafeteria Conference: Powering Up will convene a diverse group of stakeholders from across the farm to cafeteria movement—more than 1,000 food service professionals, farmers, educators, youth leaders, policy makers,  state/federal agency professionals, public health professionals and others—working to source local food for institutional cafeterias and foster a culture of food and agricultural literacy across America. Cafeterias in schools, universities, prisons, hospitals and childcare centers serve more than 40 million Americans every day during the school year, placing the farm to cafeteria movement at the forefront of the fight to end obesity and strengthen local food systems. Make plans to be in Austin April 15-18, 2014, for three days of inspiring field trips, workshops, speakers and networking. The conference is hosted by the National Farm to School Network. For more information: www.farmtocafeteriaconference.org

 

 

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to Institution Specialist | Michigan Lead for National Farm to School Network

Center for Regional Food Systems | Michigan State University

480 Wilson Rd | Rm 303 Natural Resources Building | East Lansing, MI 48824

(p) 517.432.0310

www.foodsystems.msu.edu | www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

 

 

 

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

FW: MI Farm to School Trainings & National Farm to School Month!

Greetings school food service and pre-K and early care program directors and staff,

Just a reminder to sign up for a MI Farm to School training session if you’re interested! See below for more information, dates and locations as well as a link to RSVP.

 

Best,

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to Institution Specialist

Center for Regional Food Systems | Michigan State University

480 Wilson Rd | Rm 303 Natural Resources Building | East Lansing, MI 48824

(p) 517.432.0310

www.foodsystems.msu.edu | www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

 

 

 

Get ready for National Farm to School Month in October by participating in one of the MI Farm to School Trainings in your area!

 

Through generous funding from the WK Kellogg Foundation, the MSU Center for Regional Food Systems is offering MI Farm to School Training sessions around the state as part of the MI Farm to School Grant Program. To help bring local food into food service programs, this grant program provides Farm to School Planning and Implementation mini-grants to selected school food service professionals at schools/districts AND early child care and education programs with 50% free and reduced rates or greater (or equivalent). Seventeen MI Farm to School grants were awarded for the 2013/2014 school year (the application period is now closed), and all grantees will attend the training nearest them. Now, we would like to extend the invitation to all Michigan school food service and early child care program providers (regardless of the free and reduced rate of your program/school/district) who are interested beginning or expanding Farm to School programs!

 

The MI Farm to School training dates and locations are as follows:

 

·     Tuesday, September 24th, 12:30 – 4:30 pm

Gratiot Isabella RESD (Regional Education Service District)

1131 East Center St.

Ithaca, MI 48847

 

·     Wednesday, September 25th, 12:30 – 4:30pm 

      Odawa Casino & Resort

      1760 Lears Rd. 

      Petoskey, MI 49770

 

·     Friday, September 27th, 12:30 – 4:30pm 

***with an optional Tour of Detroit Eastern Market at 10:30 am and lunch to follow!***

Detroit Eastern Market

Shed 3

Detroit, MI 48207

 

·     Tuesday, October 1st, 12:30 – 4:30 pm

Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency (KRESA) West Campus Site 
4606 Croyden Ave

Kalamazoo, MI 49006

 

Training topics will include an overview of Michigan Farm to School, how and where to find and purchase Michigan products, developing a Farm to School team, meeting nutrition and program standards with locally-grown food, food safety, expanding Farm to School programs beyond produce and beyond lunch, and more! Time will also be dedicated for attendees to network with and learn from each to other. Light refreshments will be served at each training, and lunch will be included for those who wish to attend the optional tour of Detroit Eastern Market prior to the training there on September 27th. 

 

RSVP for any one of these free trainings here - http://msucarrs.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_6fLZ14SgxFPdMmF. RSVPs will be accepted on a first come first serve basis as space allows for each training location. If you have any questions or need any additional information, please contact Julia Smith (smith503@msu.edu or 517-432-4525), our new Farm to School Specialist at the MSU Center for Regional Food Systems and manager of the MI Farm to School Grant Program.

 

 

Assoc. Director opening at Center for Regional Food Systems

The Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems seeks a Managing Associate Director.  This person will oversee the day-to-day management of the center and contribute to the development and implementation of strategies to advance CRFS' research, outreach, and education on food systems issues.  Please see the CRFS website for the full position description.

Applications are to be submitted through the MSU Jobs website (posting #8249) and will be accepted until Friday, October 18, 2013, or until a suitable candidate is identified. 

Please feel free to share this information among your networks as well!

Thanks,
Liz


-- 

Liz Gensler

Communications & Grant Specialist 

Center for Regional Food Systems | Michigan State University

480 Wilson Rd, Rm 309 | Natural Resources Building | East Lansing, MI 48824

(p) 517-353-1914 | (f) 517-353-3834 

foodsystems.msu.edu 

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

National Food Hub Survey findings & webinar

Good morning!  

The Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems and Wallace Center at Winrock International are pleased to announce the release of Findings of the 2013 National Food Hub Survey.  This report details survey results from over 100 food hubs – businesses or organizations that manage the aggregation, distribution and marketing of source-identified food products – and demonstrates that food hubs continue to develop as financially viable businesses throughout the U.S.

The Wallace Center's National Good Food Network will host the State of the Food Hub - National Survey Results webinar, highlighting key findings from the report, this Thursday, Sept. 19, at 3:30pm EDT.  Registration for the webinar is free and open until broadcast time at http://bit.ly/hubsurveywebinar.

A press release and more information on the survey are located at http://foodsystems.msu.edu/activities/food-hub-survey.



-- 

Liz Gensler

Communications & Grant Specialist 

Center for Regional Food Systems | Michigan State University

480 Wilson Rd, Rm 309 | Natural Resources Building | East Lansing, MI 48824

(p) 517-353-1914 | (f) 517-353-3834 

foodsystems.msu.edu 

Friday, September 6, 2013

FW: MI Farm to School Trainings & National Farm to School Month!

Hello again,

For those who are interested, the video from the Food Day Webinar: Food Day in Schools: How to Get Involved (Center for Science in the Public Interest) on Sept 4th is available here - http://www.foodday.org/webinars. Apologies for the late notice!

 

Colleen

 

From: Matts, Colleen
Sent: Friday, September 06, 2013 10:09 AM
To: mifarmtoschool@list.msu.edu
Subject: MI Farm to School Trainings & National Farm to School Month!

 

Greetings,

 

Now that the school year is underway, get ready for National Farm to School Month in October by participating in one of the MI Farm to School Trainings in your area!

 

Through generous funding from the WK Kellogg Foundation, the MSU Center for Regional Food Systems is offering MI Farm to School Training sessions around the state as part of the MI Farm to School Grant Program. To help bring local food into food service programs, this grant program provides Farm to School Planning and Implementation mini-grants to selected school food service professionals at schools/districts AND early child care and education programs with 50% free and reduced rates or greater (or equivalent). Seventeen MI Farm to School grants were awarded for the 2013/2014 school year (the application period is now closed), and all grantees will attend the training nearest them. Now, we would like to extend the invitation to all Michigan school food service and early child care program providers (regardless of the free and reduced rate of your program/school/district) who are interested beginning or expanding Farm to School programs!

 

The MI Farm to School training dates and locations are as follows:

 

·     Tuesday, September 24th, 12:30 – 4:30 pm

Gratiot Isabella RESD (Regional Education Service District)

1131 East Center St.

Ithaca, MI 48847

 

·     Wednesday, September 25th, 12:30 – 4:30pm 

      Odawa Casino & Resort

      1760 Lears Rd. 

      Petoskey, MI 49770

 

·     Friday, September 27th, 12:30 – 4:30pm 

***with an optional Tour of Detroit Eastern Market at 10:30 am and lunch to follow!***

Detroit Eastern Market

Shed 3

Detroit, MI 48207

 

·     Tuesday, October 1st, 12:30 – 4:30 pm

Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency (KRESA) West Campus Site 
4606 Croyden Ave

Kalamazoo, MI 49006

 

Training topics will include an overview of Michigan Farm to School, how and where to find and purchase Michigan products, developing a Farm to School team, meeting nutrition and program standards with locally-grown food, food safety, expanding Farm to School programs beyond produce and beyond lunch, and more! Time will also be dedicated for attendees to network with and learn from each to other. Light refreshments will be served at each training, and lunch will be included for those who wish to attend the optional tour of Detroit Eastern Market prior to the training there on September 27th. 

 

RSVP for any one of these free trainings here - http://msucarrs.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_6fLZ14SgxFPdMmF. RSVPs will be accepted on a first come first serve basis as space allows for each training location. If you have any questions or need any additional information, please contact Julia Smith (smith503@msu.edu or 517-432-4525), our new Farm to School Specialist at the MSU Center for Regional Food Systems and manager of the MI Farm to School Grant Program.

 


Then, it’s time to celebrate National Farm to School Month, which kicks off on October 1st but schools, early care programs and organizations are making plans now! To celebrate and spotlight the many aspects of Farm to School, the National Farm to School Network put together a theme of the day calendar that you can use to plan your activities. During October, each theme day will be accompanied by a blog post containing information and activity ideas. To further aid your planning process, a preview of all of the blog posts will be available on farmtoschoolmonth.org starting in mid-August. The blog posts will  be written by a variety of partner organizations throughout the month, providing unique perspectives and stories. Download this PDF version of the calendar, and check out our other resources as well as the items in our shop, such as these "I ate local food today!" stickers. As part of Farm to School Month:

  • Farm to Pre-School Day will be celebrated on October 18th to highlight the local food activities in the full spectrum of child care programs: preschools, Head Starts, center-based, programs based in K-12 school districts, and family home care facilities.
  • Food Day, "a nationwide celebration and a movement for healthy, affordable, sustainable food", is on October 24th. If you're interested in learning more about participating in food day, participate in:
    •  Food Day Webinar: Food Day in Schools: How to Get Involved (Center for Science in the Public Interest) on September 4, 2013, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM EDT. (Register Here)   This webinar will give you the tools to find out how your school can participate in Food Day and use the momentum to achieve your health and wellness goals. During the webinar you will learn about some of the available resources: Nourish: Food + Community curriculum, Food Day’s school curriculum created by the Columbia Teachers College, and technical tools for the implementation of the new nutrition standards for competitive foods in schools. Join the webinar to learn how Food Day can help your school advance towards the pillars established by the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools recognition award.

 

All the best for a great school year!

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to Institution Specialist

Center for Regional Food Systems | Michigan State University

480 Wilson Rd | Rm 303 Natural Resources Building | East Lansing, MI 48824

(p) 517.432.0310

www.foodsystems.msu.edu | www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

 

Re: MI Farm to School Trainings & National Farm to School Month!

Colleen,

Please let me know if I can assist you at any of the trainings. I know some dates are already blocked but for those open I would be glad to help out.

 

Lori Yelton

Lori Yelton, MS RDN Nutritionist

Food & Dairy Division

Michigan Department of Agriculture

   and Rural Development

P.O. Box 30017

Lansing, MI  48909

yeltonl@michigan.gov

Please note effective August 19, 2013 this State of Michigan phone number will no longer be in use. My cell phone 517-420-3249 will be my only phone contact number. Please make the necessary changes to you contact information for future contact.

Thank you,

Lori

 

From: Matts, Colleen [mailto:matts@ANR.MSU.EDU]
Sent: Friday, September 06, 2013 10:09 AM
To: MIFARMTOSCHOOL@LIST.MSU.EDU
Subject: MI Farm to School Trainings & National Farm to School Month!

 

Greetings,

 

Now that the school year is underway, get ready for National Farm to School Month in October by participating in one of the MI Farm to School Trainings in your area!

 

Through generous funding from the WK Kellogg Foundation, the MSU Center for Regional Food Systems is offering MI Farm to School Training sessions around the state as part of the MI Farm to School Grant Program. To help bring local food into food service programs, this grant program provides Farm to School Planning and Implementation mini-grants to selected school food service professionals at schools/districts AND early child care and education programs with 50% free and reduced rates or greater (or equivalent). Seventeen MI Farm to School grants were awarded for the 2013/2014 school year (the application period is now closed), and all grantees will attend the training nearest them. Now, we would like to extend the invitation to all Michigan school food service and early child care program providers (regardless of the free and reduced rate of your program/school/district) who are interested beginning or expanding Farm to School programs!

 

The MI Farm to School training dates and locations are as follows:

 

·     Tuesday, September 24th, 12:30 – 4:30 pm

Gratiot Isabella RESD (Regional Education Service District)

1131 East Center St.

Ithaca, MI 48847

 

·     Wednesday, September 25th, 12:30 – 4:30pm 

      Odawa Casino & Resort

      1760 Lears Rd. 

      Petoskey, MI 49770

 

·     Friday, September 27th, 12:30 – 4:30pm 

***with an optional Tour of Detroit Eastern Market at 10:30 am and lunch to follow!***

Detroit Eastern Market

Shed 3

Detroit, MI 48207

 

·     Tuesday, October 1st, 12:30 – 4:30 pm

Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency (KRESA) West Campus Site 
4606 Croyden Ave

Kalamazoo, MI 49006

 

Training topics will include an overview of Michigan Farm to School, how and where to find and purchase Michigan products, developing a Farm to School team, meeting nutrition and program standards with locally-grown food, food safety, expanding Farm to School programs beyond produce and beyond lunch, and more! Time will also be dedicated for attendees to network with and learn from each to other. Light refreshments will be served at each training, and lunch will be included for those who wish to attend the optional tour of Detroit Eastern Market prior to the training there on September 27th. 

 

RSVP for any one of these free trainings here - http://msucarrs.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_6fLZ14SgxFPdMmF. RSVPs will be accepted on a first come first serve basis as space allows for each training location. If you have any questions or need any additional information, please contact Julia Smith (smith503@msu.edu or 517-432-4525), our new Farm to School Specialist at the MSU Center for Regional Food Systems and manager of the MI Farm to School Grant Program.

 


Then, it’s time to celebrate National Farm to School Month, which kicks off on October 1st but schools, early care programs and organizations are making plans now! To celebrate and spotlight the many aspects of Farm to School, the National Farm to School Network put together a theme of the day calendar that you can use to plan your activities. During October, each theme day will be accompanied by a blog post containing information and activity ideas. To further aid your planning process, a preview of all of the blog posts will be available on farmtoschoolmonth.org starting in mid-August. The blog posts will  be written by a variety of partner organizations throughout the month, providing unique perspectives and stories. Download this PDF version of the calendar, and check out our other resources as well as the items in our shop, such as these "I ate local food today!" stickers. As part of Farm to School Month:

  • Farm to Pre-School Day will be celebrated on October 18th to highlight the local food activities in the full spectrum of child care programs: preschools, Head Starts, center-based, programs based in K-12 school districts, and family home care facilities.
  • Food Day, "a nationwide celebration and a movement for healthy, affordable, sustainable food", is on October 24th. If you're interested in learning more about participating in food day, participate in:
    •  Food Day Webinar: Food Day in Schools: How to Get Involved (Center for Science in the Public Interest) on September 4, 2013, 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM EDT. (Register Here)   This webinar will give you the tools to find out how your school can participate in Food Day and use the momentum to achieve your health and wellness goals. During the webinar you will learn about some of the available resources: Nourish: Food + Community curriculum, Food Day’s school curriculum created by the Columbia Teachers College, and technical tools for the implementation of the new nutrition standards for competitive foods in schools. Join the webinar to learn how Food Day can help your school advance towards the pillars established by the U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools recognition award.

 

All the best for a great school year!

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to Institution Specialist

Center for Regional Food Systems | Michigan State University

480 Wilson Rd | Rm 303 Natural Resources Building | East Lansing, MI 48824

(p) 517.432.0310

www.foodsystems.msu.edu | www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu