MI Farm to School News

Last week’s Farm to School Updates coming on a Monday instead of last Friday!

Happy October!

Friends, October is a very special month. No, I’m not talking about Halloween, or the precursor to November aka sugar crash month, but because October is NATIONAL FARM TO SCHOOL MONTH!  Oh boy.  I know you’re all as excited as I am for an entire month dedicated to celebrating fabulous efforts across the country to promote local agriculture in cafeterias and early childhood food programs.  There is so much to look forward to this month – be sure to follow it all closely on the National Farm to School Network’s blog which will feature stories of Farm to School throughout the month. The one posted today features my second-to-Michigan favorite state and the work they’re doing to connect schools with local fisherman!  Is anyone doing this in Michigan?  Let me know!

Say, are you interested in participating in the Michigan Apple Crunch?  Not sure what it is?  Need ideas for where to find local apples?  Join us TODAY at 2:00pm for the Michigan Apple Crunch Webinar.  Go to http://msucrfs.adobeconnect.com/mfin-ac at the appointed time and call into 1-800-850-4523 with passcode 690382 for audio.

On to some updates!

News

• Jersey Fresh Farm to School week at Carteret School – New Jersey
  • During Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week, schools will be showcased that connect with farmers to purchase local products for school meals
• Farm Fresh Fridays initiative to connect schools with farmers – Texas
  • Need an idea for where to start FtS programming?  Texas is launching Farm Fresh Fridays!  “Farm Fresh Fridays is about teaching our kids where their food comes from and why it is important to make healthy choices” - Texas Agriculture Commisioner Sid Miller
• October is Farm to School Month – Center for Rural Affairs
  • In case you needed a reminder!
  • Also from Center for Rural Affairs, Do kids really appreciate good school food? You bet they do!  They’re launching a campaign alongside farm to school asking you to thank your school food service workers!

Opportunities

• Beginning Farmer Workshops: There are some great workshops coming up for beginning farmers offered through the MSU Student Organic Farm’s Farmer Field School.  See below for workshops, dates, and registration information.
  • October 18 8 am – 6 pm - Holistic Soil Management: Fertility, cover cropping, Weed Management, and Tillage 
    • Includes proven strategies, planning, and tools at various scales for building and maintaining the healthiest soils while managing weeds prepping fields for crops.  Cost: $150 REGISTRATION AND CONTACT INFO HERE
  • November 14 8 am – 6 pm – Year Round and Seasonal CSA Success: Strategies and techniques for improving profitability and satisfaction
    • Includes proven strategies and different approaches to CSA startup and growth.  Leave with new tools and ideas about how to live, work, and grow your CSA.  Cost: $150 REGISTRATION AND CONTACT INFO HERE
  • For information on future workshops, join the listserv here

• Funding from Fuel Up to Play 60 
  • Fuel Up to Play 60 is providing funding up to $4,000 per year to qualified K-12 schools enrolled in Fuel Up to Play 60 to kickstart farm to school programming.  Check out the website for qualifying activities
• Webinar: Farm to School 101 – Tuesday October 13, 1-1:30 pm 
  • If you’re brand new to Farm to Schoo, don’t miss this webinar highlighting the core elements of the farm to school movement and how it is working to connect 23.5 million children to local food in schools all over the country.  Register Here.
• Webinar: institutional procurement tools for regional food buying – Thursday October 15, 1 pm ET
  • NOFA-VT will provide an overview on how institutions incorporate values in their local and regional purchasing programs and introduce tools they’ve created to support!  Join at https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/228327701 or dial in using your phone: (872) 240-3212 code 228-327-701

All the best as you kick off Farm to School Month!

Abby Harper

Farm to School Specialist

Center for Regional Food Systems | Michigan State University

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

(p) 517.432.4525 (c) 857.600.6921

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