Summer's here: Time to Grow Together! |
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Join us for Michigan’s Farm to School and Early Care Network Launch!
June 25, 2026, 1pm ET
The Michigan Farm to School and Early Care Network supports people and programs across Michigan that help children and youth (ages 0–18) learn about and eat local food. This Network will build upon approximately two decades of efforts to grow Michigan's farm to school and early care work by supporting programs and people that buy local food, grow gardens, and teach children about food and farming. |
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Parents, students, early childhood educators, teachers, food service staff, farm to school coordinators, administrators, farmers, food hubs, families, and supporting organizations are all important members! All are welcome and parent participation is greatly encouraged! Whether you are in the classroom, the cafeteria, or the community, this network is for you!
Your presence and perspective will guide this network as we build connections, share resources, and support each other in the good work of bringing local food and education to Michigan’s children.
What you do is important… and worth celebrating together! |
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In attending the Network Launch, you will:
- Receive updates on Michigan farm to school and early care initiatives and resources
- Hear inspirational stories from the field
- Take part in meaningful networking with other people and programs supporting farm to school and farm to ECE
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It's National Garden Week!
In June, we celebrate National Garden Week, which is also the perfect time to prepare your student garden! Here are three tips to keep your garden growing in the months ahead!
- Use water wisely. Set up drip irrigation or soaker hoses. Mulch heavily to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Recruit summer volunteers from the community. The garden can still be a place of connection.
- Start planning for fall! Build your soil with cover crops now, then plant for fall harvest in late summer.
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Got suggestions?
We strive to provide content that is relevant and inspiring! Share your ideas, events, and opportunities to include in future newsletters here! |
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🍐 = Farm to ECE & School, 🥕= Farm to School, and 🫐= Farm to ECE |
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Nutrition Education Through a Cooking Challenge Curriculum June 10, 2026, 2pm ET Virtual
Make teaching nutrition and cooking safety exciting and engaging through The Fresh Chef Challenge, an evidence-based nutrition and cooking series. This presentation will provide an overview on how to plan and implement a cooking challenge. Participants will leave with an understanding on how to implement this lesson series with detailed material lists and curriculum guides. |
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Farm Based Education Network Farm Tour
June 17, 2026, 10:30am ET Novi, MI
For those working in food and farm education, join this free tour at Tollgate Farm in Novi, hosted by Susie Gilmore (Shelburne Farms), Kerry-Leigh Burchill (Canada Agriculture and Food Museum) with Katie Peet of Tollgate Farm. This FBEN tour will go beyond “what” Tollgate Farm offers to focus on strengths, struggles, and unique attributes. Register by June 12. |
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Writing and Dancing in the Garden June 17, 2pm ET Virtual
Through online conversation and a guided activity in partnership with KidsGardening, participants will experience how the garden can become a place for storytelling, observation, artistic expression. Hosted by the School Garden Support Organization. |
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Food & Nutrition Policy Outlook: National Updates Shaping SNAP, School Meals, and Food Labeling June 22, 2026, 2pm ET
Virtual
Take an hour to learn about the most significant food and nutrition policy developments of 2026 impacting public health nutrition. This will include state legislation targeting school meals, such as proposed bans on ultra‑processed foods and synthetic food dyes. Presenters will highlight implications for child nutrition programs, food labeling, and the broader nutrition policy landscape. |
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National Children & Youth Garden Symposium
July 13-16, 2026 Pasadena, CA
Join educators, garden leaders, and staff from botanic gardens, non-profits, and more from around the country in Pasadena, California to discuss engaging children with gardens and the natural world. |
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Growing Farm to ECE in Head Start: What Successful Implementation and Support Look Like July 22, 2026, 2pm ET
Virtual
Learn how Farm to ECE aligns and supports Head Starts. Also, learn how state organizations can help support Head Start staff or sites integrate Farm to ECE into their busy days. Hosted by Association of Public Health Nutritionists. |
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Fall Crop Planting & Care
July 25, 2026, 1pm ET Detroit, MI
During this in-person class, the Keep Growing Detroit Garden Development team will teach you about companion planting, plant care, trellising, pruning, watering, harvesting, pest and weed management of your fall crops. |
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Growing Healthy Habits: Garden-Based Learning in Early Childhood August 12, 2026, 2pm ET
Virtual
Learn practical ways early childhood educators can integrate garden-based learning into their programs to support nutrition education, outdoor play, and curiosity about where food comes from. |
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Real Food Needs Real Kitchens: The Infrastructure Fight August 26, 1pm ET Virtual
School food teams want to serve scratch-made meals, but they’re stuck in kitchens built for reheating, not cooking. This live panel with Chef Ann Foundation explores how districts are transforming their spaces and securing the funding to make it happen. |
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Undoing Borders Through Food and Alternative History September 9, 2026, 2pm ET Virtual
In this session, in partnership with KidsGardening, attendees will participate in a combination history lesson and cooking class to learn how food can bring history to life for students. |
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Sharing the Bounty: Telling Your Data-Driven Story September 30, 2pm ET Virtual
Participants will be guided through the processes of collecting, evaluating, and showcasing program data, and will leave with a plan for drafting an impact report that is meaningful and appropriate for unique stakeholders. |
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10 Cents a Meal Coalition
In response to 10 Cents a Meal funding for Fiscal Year 2026 (31j) not being included in the State School Aid budget, Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities has recently launched a 10 Cents a Meal coalition.
The coalition meets virtually once a month for one hour. The purpose of these meetings is to bring interested participants together to stay up to date on the status of the 10 Cents a Meal program, share success stories, and develop a strategy for moving forward.
If you are interested in joining, you can complete Groundwork’s 10 Cents a Meal Coalition form. For questions, please contact Groundwork’s Policy Specialist at amanda.brezzell@groundworkcenter.org. |
Using Federal Funds to Purchase Local Foods
- USDA released a memo encouraging schools, sponsors, and operators in any Child Nutrition Programs to source more locally grown foods. This approach supports local farmers by providing stable markets and increased income, invests federal dollars in local economies, strengthens community health, and promotes healthy eating habits in students, creating a win-win for schools and communities.
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.
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USDA Farm to School Planning Toolkit
- If you're planning to launch or develop a farm to school program, the Farm to School Planning Toolkit is a valuable resource. It's tailored to the needs of schools, school districts, and community partners, and provides guidance on key considerations and useful resources. From tips and examples to insights from those who have gone through the process, the toolkit has a wealth of information to help you get started.
Eat Real takes root in Michigan with Montague APS
- Last month, Eat Real partnered with Montague Area Public Schools to host its first-ever Michigan school lunch tour, celebrating the work of Dan Gorman, Food Service Director for Montague Area and North Muskegon Public Schools, and his team. As the first Michigan district to partner with Eat Real, Montague is helping demonstrate how healthier, community-rooted school food can scale across West Michigan and beyond.
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.
To join the map, follow the steps outlined below:
- Check if your school garden or organization is already on the map.
- If you aren’t, complete this form to add yourself on the map.
- If you are, check the data to make sure it’s up to date. You can provide updates through the same form.
Training the Future of School Food: 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.”) This episode talks about the real work behind getting good food onto kids’ trays—training the people who make it happen. From ditching the “white‑hat chef” mentality to meeting school food professionals exactly where they are, this conversation is equal parts big‑picture vision, practical knife skills, and genuine laughs.
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ASPHN Farm to ECE Resource Catalog
- Discover valuable resources to support your team’s Farm to ECE initiatives! Explore materials for different audiences and topic areas and draw inspiration from others. Watch the short video to learn how to navigate the catalog.
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, ag and 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 local 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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