Hello Network!
Hope y'all had a great week. Kick your weekend off with a couple of this week's news – including the release of the USDA Farm to School Awards, two of which came to Michigan. There's also a couple of exciting events, resources and a job opportunity. MSU CRFS recently released Local Food for Little Eaters, a local food purchasing resource for early childhood programs, and the National Farm to School Network created a helpful Farm to ECE roadmap.
Summer Food Programs are about to start up! Thinking about bringing local to your program? View the
Farm to Summer webinar that we recorded last year and learn what steps to take!
Also, thanks to Lee Ann Viera, who has been working with us for the last two years supporting Hoophouses for Health and Farm to School, for helping to put together this newsletter!
Resources
MSU Center for Regional Food Systems This toolbox is designed to help ECE programs purchase local food. It provides step-by-step instructions for purchasing from a variety of local food sources and provide highlights from successful ECE purchasing initiatives throughout the country.
Farm to ECE Mini Webinar Series
MSU Center for Regional Food Systems
You can now watch the entire Farm to ECE Webinar Series that has been taking place over the last nine months!
A Roadmap for Farm to ECE
National Farm to School Network
This comprehensive guide is designed to help partners from diverse sectors navigate the early care and education landscape, and better understand opportunities and leverage points for farm to ECE.
Events
Webinar series: Farm to Early Care
Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy – June 13-27 11:00am EST
Anyone planning their own Farm to ECE program? IATP will present their Farm to ECE training in four webinars to help programs get started.
Learn more and register here.
January 21-26, 2018 in Santa Cruz, CA
Join school garden support organizations from across the nation to enhance professional development and ongoing support for school garden programs in your region. Apply by July 20 here
United States Department of Agriculture Due: end of June
Data from the Census of Agriculture guides Congress, agribusiness, policymakers, researchers, local governments and many others on creating and funding agriculture programs and services. Represent yourself, community and industry by completing this survey and make your voice count.
News
FoodCorps Americorps Members in Flint, Michigan's Recovery From Lead Crisis
Food Corps
Food Corps members, which support farm to school efforts in schools throughout Michigan, are playing a leading role to help alleviate the effects of the water crisis in Flint. This video showcases some of their work in partnership with non-profit organizations and local citizens in Flint.
USDA Announces Farm to School Grant Awards; Projects Nationwide Chosen
USDA Food and Nutrition Service
Sixty-five awardees are receiving funding from the USDA Farm to School Grant Program to increase local food purchasing in schools throughout the country. Congratulations to Michigan Department of Education and South Haven Public Schools, a current MI Farm to School Grantee, for receiving an award! We can't wait to see what you accomplish!
Laker Secondary Schools achieves gold wellness award
Huron Daily Tribune
Congtratulations to Laker Secondary Schools for their efforts in building a healthy school environment! Laker received a USDA Farm to School Grant last year, and continues to be a leader in farm to school for Michigan.
Medium
"Michigan is home to more food policy councils than any other state or province in North America, and they are all ears when it comes to new ideas." Read Wayne Roberts experience visiting 9 different food systems projects in Michigan, including our own CRFS.
Toledo Blade
School gardens can be tricky to keep going once teachers and children are out for summer vacation. This article highlights one strategy in Ohio, where families came together to volunteer to care for their local school garden throughout summer months. When students return, the garden will be in full bloom!
Opportunities
Job: Policy Advocate, National Family Farm Coalition
National Family Farm Coalition
NFFC is seeking an Interim Policy Advocate to bring the concerns of member organizations to Capitol Hill, and to track family farm-related legislation. Interested parties should send cover letter, resume, salary requirements and three references to familyfarmcoalition@gmail.com at their earliest convenience.
Best,
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