Welcome to our new newsletter! |
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Happy spring!
This is a time to refresh, grow, and come together in community. That is just what we are doing here with our newly combined Michigan Farm to School and Early Care Newsletter! For years, Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems has been sharing connections to resources for children aged 0-5 and school aged youth on local procurement, starting and sustaining student gardens, and teaching nutrition and ag education. Now you will find all the same great information in one great newsletter. |
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Use the icons below to navigate to content you are most interested in.
- Blueberries indicate Farm to ECE (ages 0-5)
- Carrots indicate Farm to School (ages 5-18)
- Pears indicate content relevant to both!
Distinct farm to school and farm to ECE listservs will still allow you to connect directly with your peers. Scroll to the bottom of this email for listserv sign-up information. |
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Save the date! Network Launch
June 25, 2026, 1pm ET
You're invited to the launch of Michigan’s Farm to School and Early Care Network! After years of supporting shared goals, this shared network will uplift our state’s farm to school and early care work. More details and registration link coming in a special edition May newsletter. For now, please plan on joining the celebration!
Questions? Email lehmanju@msu.edu to learn more. |
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April is Garden Month!
Happy Garden Month! It’s been a wet spring across the state but as soon as your soil can be worked, we know you will enjoy planting peas, lettuce, spinach, and collards with young ones. Here are some great youth garden resources to help you make the most of spring in the garden.
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Got suggestions?
We strive to provide content that is relevant and inspiring! Have suggestions, a request, or want to share an opportunity for inclusion in a future newsletter? Share your ideas, events, and opportunities to include in future newsletters here! |
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Gathering of Growers Crop Study: Sunchokes & Edible Perennials April 29, 2026, 6-8pm ET Detroit, MI
Keep Growing Detroit invites you to discuss the seed to table cycle for sunchokes (Jerusalem artichokes) and other edible perennials like rhubarb and asparagus. |
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Principals Advancing School Gardens April 30, 2026, 2pm ET Virtual
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. |
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Farm to ECE Evaluation Webinar Series: Simple Approaches to Measuring the Impact of your Farm to ECE Efforts April 30, 2026, 2pm ET
Virtual
Join the Association of State and Public Health Nutritionists to learn easy ways to understand, measure, and grow your Farm to ECE impact. Speakers will share how to use the Plan Do Study Act Tool and apply the tool to Farm to ECE and public health activities. |
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Jim Henson’s Wowsabout: Bringing Awe to Life: Free Virtual Film Screening and Q&A May 13, 2026, 12pm ET Virtual
Join the Greater Good Science Center, PBS Kids, and Jim Henson Studios for a special virtual screening of Wowsabout, a brand-new preschool special about awe – why it matters, what the research shows, and how it can be brought to life through storytelling. |
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New Dietary Guidelines for Americans & Food Pyramid June 16, 2026, 2pm ET
Virtual
Go NAPSACC is hosting topic-related interest meetings to provide the opportunity for Go NAPSACC state partners to talk directly with each other, ask questions, learn, and network. These are open discussions; come ready to share your successes, questions, and challenges! |
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Year-long paid Food Education fellowship for teachers
- Pilot Light, a nationally-operating Food Education nonprofit, seeks highly motivated Pre-K through 12th grade teachers across the country to apply to their Food Education Fellowship, a year-long paid fellowship for teachers interested in incorporating Food Education into their curriculum on a weekly basis. In addition to integrated Food Education lessons, Fellows will partner to support student-led advocacy work within their classrooms. Read the FAQ to learn more.
Starting a Garden Course
- Have you been thinking about starting a garden at your school or ECE site? Are you a beginning gardener looking for direction so the garden can be as successful as it can be? If so, consider "Starting a School or Community Garden: Essential Steps for Success" from MSUE. This free course offers a flexible, self-paced online learning experience.
National Farm to School (and ECE) Coach Professional Development Program
- Are you interested in learning about coaching a Farm to ECE or school team in other Farm to ECE/School planning programs? Consider joining Shelburne Farms’ Institute for Sustainable Schools' national coaching professional development program. They still have openings available for the May cohort. "This specialized onboarding program is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge to effectively coach school and ECE teams through Farm to School Institutes and other farm to school planning."
Doubling Investment and Growing Impact: 10 Cents a Meal 2023–2024 Evaluation Results
- The full evaluation summary of Michigan’s 10 Cents a Meal for Michigan’s Kids and Farms program, which highlights record reach during the 2023-2024 school year, is now available. The program supported 269 grantees across 66 counties, reaching nearly 594,000 children and generating nearly $6 million in direct Michigan-grown food purchases from a $3 million state investment.
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Help Shape Michigan’s School Meals Program
- MDE is conducting interviews with school leaders to better understand the implementation of school meals in Michigan - what’s working well, what challenges schools face, and what additional support could strengthen the program. Participation involves a 45‑minute virtual interview scheduled at your convenience. All feedback is confidential and no individuals or schools will be identified in any reports. Each participating school will receive a $200 Scholastic e-gift card. If you are willing to share your experiences, please complete this short interest form. Contact schoolmealstudy@air.org with questions.
Apply to be a Regional Lead for the Kids Garden Community
- Kids Garden Community is launching U.S.-based regional groups, and seeking passionate Regional Leads to bring them to life. Regional Leads play a vital role in cultivating connection, peer learning, and belonging within a designated multi-state region. $1000 stipend for this 1-2 hours/week virtual opportunity.
See Where School Gardens are Growing: National School Garden Map
- The School Garden Support Organization Network synthesized school garden data, created an interactive map for public use, and analyzed the state of school gardens across the country. The map shows where school gardens are located and entities that support school gardens. Explore the map tutorial here and then use this map to: develop partnerships, educate your community, secure funding, and develop an outreach plan.
Local Food for Schools report examines USDA federal funding impact
- In a newly released report on the Local Food for Schools (LFS) program – the United States Department of Agriculture’s $200 million investment in funding for school meals to strengthen local food supply chains – the Center for Good Food Purchasing examines utilization and impact of LFS funding which expanded student access to fresher, higher-quality foods and greater menu variety in schools, leveraging existing school meal infrastructure for multiple public benefits.
April Farm to School Podcast episode
- Check out the Farm to School podcast, which features stories from the frontlines of food, farming, and education—where young minds grow and agriculture takes root. (Available on approximately 30 platforms. Simply search for “Farm to School Podcast.”)
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MiRegistry - Growing a Garden for Young Children
- Join the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan for this online, on-demand session to learn about gardening with children at your early care and education site, including how to start, low cost or repurposing of materials, engaging children in the planning and practice, and benefits for children. This course (number 189497 in MiRegistry) provides one credit for professional development when taken by registered providers through MiRegistry. To view the training without MiRegistry credit, go to Gardening with Young Children via MSU MediaSpace.
Nourishing Students: Early Childhood Education Resources
- Center for Ecoliteracy’s Nourishing Students resources offer free activities and recipes for educators, families, and school nutrition professionals featuring fruits and vegetables including beans, carrots, cilantro, and radishes.
MI Growing Healthy Eaters Facebook Group
- Michigan’s ECE Facebook group for childcare providers to connect with others in the Farm to ECE community, including local farmers, market managers, vendors and other providers. This is a special group – consider joining now!
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Get connected!
Get in touch with fellow Michigan Farm to School and Early Care and Education leaders and practitioners! Subscribe to the listservs to connect directly with your peers:
MIFARMTOECE Sign up for the Michigan Farm to Early Care and Education listserv to receive updates and learn about farm to ECE work happening across the state.
MIFARMTOSCHOOL Sign up to receive updates and get linked in with Michigan farm to school stakeholders, from school and ECE food service directors and administrators, to growers and distributors. |
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About Michigan Farm to School and Early Care Network
The Michigan Farm to School and Early Care Network collaborates so children ages birth to 18 can grow, choose, and eat nutritious local food in their educational settings.
Farm to School and Early Care in Michigan includes local food sourcing, nutrition education, and gardening. Children, families, schools, providers, and farmers all benefit from farm to school and early care.
The Michigan Farm to School and Early Care Network exists to:
- improve access to healthy food,
- increase nutritional awareness and health outcomes, and
- support schools and providers as they work to improve children’s learning environments.
Contact Julie Lehman, Network Co-lead, at lehmanju@msu.edu with any questions, comments, ideas or for more information on the Michigan Farm to School and Early Care Network. |
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