Michigan Farm to School Updates | | Stay informed on the latest news, resources, and events! | | Update on 10 Cents Meal for Michigan’s Kids and Farms | | | Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities has launched a 10 Cents a Meal Coalition, bringing together engaged constituents who understand the importance of reinstating the 10 Cents a Meal / Local Produce in School Meals program and are ready to work collectively toward that goal.
If you, or someone you know, would be a strong addition to this coalition, please encourage them to sign up below. | | The Coalition will focus on three core objectives:
- Staying up to date on the status of the 10 Cents a Meal program
- Developing and maintaining a shared strategy to reinstate the program
- Identifying concrete action steps to be taken together
Reach out to Amanda Brezzell at amanda.brezzell@groundworkcenter.org to ask about specific actions you can take to support the program. | | Understanding the New Dietary Guidelines | | | In January, new Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs) were released. Read more on what the DGAs are, how they’ve typically been developed before, key changes in the newest edition, and how DGA updates may impact school nutrition policy and programs.
Learn more: | | | Listening Sessions: USDA Entitlement Local Food Direct Purchase Option January 28, 2026
National Farm to School Network is hosting a listening session on an exciting policy concept that would open a pathway for entitlement funds to be used for local food spending. If you are a technical assistance provider (and especially if you supported Local Food for Schools implementation), your voice is crucial to solidifying their proposal before sharing it with DC decision-makers in early 2026. | | | Imagining New Possibilities: Perspectives on Student Food Sovereignty February 10, 2026
Historically and internationally, students and youth have been at the forefront of advocacy, progress, and movements. By centering student voices and ideas, this session will explore real-world examples of students envisioning and driving action for food systems transformation. As part of U of M’s Food Literacy for All, this session will explore alternative campus foodscapes, student food sovereignty, and equitable campus initiatives. | | | Unlocking the Full Potential of School Food Systems March 11, 2026
Maine schools provide vital nutrition but generate over 7 million pounds of food waste annually, much of it fresh produce. Join the University of Maine’s Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions to learn how local districts are tackling this issue through food waste prevention programs. This webinar will share research, success stories, and actionable strategies to help you reduce waste and unlock the potential of your school food system. | | | 3rd annual Michigan Jr. MANRRS Leadership Symposium for 7th-12th graders March 14, 2026
The purpose of the 2026 Michigan Jr. MANRRS Leadership Symposium is to expose 7th-12th graders to the Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences sector. Students who attend the symposium will have the opportunity to network with their fellow peers and collegiate MANRRS members from Michigan State University (MSU). They will also be able to learn about the programs within the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, support resources offered at MSU, attend interactive workshops, and participate in competitions. | | | Plant Selection and Seed Saving March 25, 2026
Discover how to choose plants that will thrive in your school garden while fostering meaningful student engagement.
This webinar will cover tips for selecting resilient, educational crops and introduce hands-on activities to spark curiosity around seed saving. Participants will gain practical strategies to connect students to the full life cycle of plants and build lasting garden stewardship. | | | Principals Advancing School Gardens April 29, 2026
Join the School Garden Support Organization Network to hear how school principals are championing and sustaining garden programs within their schools.
This webinar will explore the unique role of school leaders in fostering garden-based learning and building supportive structures. Participants will gain insights and inspiration from real examples of principal-led garden program growth. | | | 2026 School Garden Leadership Institute June 22-27, 2026
The deadline for your team of two to apply to LifeLab's 2026 School Garden Leadership Institute is fast approaching: apply by January 30th! The Institute is an amazing opportunity to join 40 school garden leaders to dive deeply into what makes a program succeed while sharing your expertise and learning from your peers.
Sliding scale registration and travel stipends available. | | | Resources, Opportunities, and Inspiration: | | | Farm to School Coordinator Learning Collaborative - Are you a Michigan-based Farm to School Coordinator? Do you have experience with local procurement and farm to school innovation, and are you interested in strengthening your facilitation and presentation skills? If so, National Farm to School Network (NFSN) invites you to apply for the Farm to School Coordinator Learning Collaborative.
As a member, you will partake in an intensive community setting of virtual meetings + two-in person gatherings to deepen your farm to school coordination strategies and experiences alongside peers from other states. The Collaborative will examine key wins and challenges in farm to school coordination while generating insights NFSN can share with the broader field. A stipend of $5,000 for travel and participation is provided. Apply by February 9, 2026.
Expanded Farm to School Coordinators Community of Practice - This is an opportunity for Farm to School Coordinators across the country to attend and participate in free quarterly Community of Practice (CoP) calls and engage in a virtual forum (Slack) with peers and the NFSN. The CoP calls will include presentations and topics presented by Learning Collaborative members and NFSN and will be an informal space for Coordinators to bring questions and ideas they may have from the field.
Join the first meeting on March 27, 3-4:15 pm EST.
Interested in learning more about this networking opportunity? Please email NFSN Programs Director at Trisha@farmtoschool.org.
| | | | | Free Milkweeds for Schools & Non-Profits - Apply to receive a free flat of 32 milkweed plugs as well as guidance on how to create a new habitat or enhance an existing garden. Deadline: early to mid-February (exact timing depends on milkweed availability)
Free Composting Kit for Schools - Let’s Go Compost is providing free indoor worm composting farm kits to 100 public schools in the United States for leading up to Earth Month 2026! Let’s Go Compost provides initial materials and educational support for setup and curriculum integration.
Salad Bars to Schools - The Chef Ann Foundation’s Salad Bars to Schools program donates salad bar equipment, training, and support to K–12 schools nationwide so students have daily access to fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and plant-based proteins, helping improve health, reduce waste, and strengthen local food connections. Join the Interest List to be notified when the next round of grant applications open in February 2026.
Whole Foods Market Foundation Get Ready to Grow: Garden Grants - The Garden Grant from the Whole Foods Market Foundation provides a $3,500 monetary award to K–12 schools. Grant funds support new or existing hands-on edible learning gardens that connect students with how food grows and support classroom learning. Deadline: March 1, 2026 (Application opens February 1)
Starting a School or Community Garden Course - Do you love your community and want to start a school or community garden? Are you a beginning gardener looking for direction so that your school or community garden is as successful as it can be? If so, consider taking this free class! The "Starting a School or Community Garden: Essential Steps for Success" course from MSUE offers a flexible, self-paced online learning experience. Winter will be a great time to access this info if planning a garden in the spring!
The 2026 Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) Harvest of the Month - This monthly packet encourages children to learn about nutrition, agriculture, Indigenous food culture and cooking with monthly recipes, coloring pages, and fact sheets. Each month is focused on a different culturally relevant food in season. January's feature is Buffalo/Bison!
| | Federal Policy Updates & Further Reading
| | | | | | Cabbage! A Cultivate Michigan Winter Food
Winter is a great time to cook up Michigan cabbage! Explore Michigan cabbage sourcing tips, resources, and recipes for your school site.
Learn more | | | About Michigan Farm to School
Farm to School centers around efforts to serve local foods in school and early care and education settings. We share ideas, tools and resources to support a range of efforts, from school garden programming to farmer visits and field trips.
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