FW: USDA Farm to School Grant Awards Announced!

Congratulations to the Eastern UP Intermediate School District which was awarded a USDA Farm to School Grant for this school year! See below for more information and a link to a list of all selected grantees and summaries of their proposals. Special thanks to all others who submitted proposals and represented Michigan well in this very competitive national grant opportunity.

 

Best,

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to Institution Specialist | Michigan Lead for National Farm to School Network

Center for Regional Food Systems | Michigan State University

480 Wilson Rd | Rm 303 Natural Resources Building | East Lansing, MI 48824

(p) 517.432.0310

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

 

From: USDA Food and Nutrition Service [mailto:usda.fns@service.govdelivery.com]
Sent: Tuesday, November 19, 2013 1:09 PM
To: Matts, Colleen
Subject: USDA Farm to School Grant Awards Announced!

 

November 19, 2013 | Volume 2, Issue 26 USDA Announces Additional Support to Help Schools Buy Local Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced grants for 71 projects spanning 42 states and the District of Columbia that support the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) efforts to connect school cafeterias with local farmers and ranchers through its Farm to School Program.  "In rural and urban communities across the country, farm to school programs teach students where food comes from, while providing healthy foods that are grown locally on farms and ranches across the nation," said Vilsack. "These programs also create new market opportunities for local farmers and ranchers interested in partnering with nearby school districts – and by helping to create an even more diverse and thriving agriculture sector, farm to school efforts hold potential to create new jobs in rural areas."  Selected projects will serve more than 13,000 schools and 2.8 million students, nearly 45 percent of whom live in rural communities. Projects are diverse:  Somerville Public Schools in Massachusetts will work to develop a district-wide farm to school program with community partners that focus on creating youth jobs and promoting healthy eating and physical education.  Olympia School District in Washington state will partner with two local farms to help students apply biology, American history, and horticulture skills towards farm management. The farms will grow organic produce for the school district and serve as an outdoor educational space for students.  Bayfield Regional Food Producers Cooperative in Wisconsin will overcome the obstacles of a short growing season by helping local school districts install and manage high tunnels to supplement school gardens. In addition to providing nutrient-dense hardy greens and other vegetables to the students in their lunches and snacks, the high tunnels will allow educators to implement experiential, project‐based learning in the spring and fall seasons.  Northeast Iowa Food & Fitness Initiative and Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission in Iowa will work with local farmers and a newly established food hub to boost production to meet the needs of local schools. They have set a goal with four rural school districts to increase local purchases by 200 percent.  These projects highlight the critical need for a new Food, Farm and Jobs Bill now more than ever, said Vilsack. Producers need renewed and expanded access to Farm Bill programs to fuel the growing demand for local food in new markets, including school meals programs, and to increase economic opportunities for America's farmers and ranchers.  USDA Farm to School grants help schools respond to the growing demand for locally sourced foods and increase market opportunities for producers and food businesses, including food processors, manufacturers, and distributors. Grants will also be used to support agriculture and nutrition education efforts such as school gardens, field trips to local farms, and cooking classes. For a complete list of FY14 Farm to School grant recipients, please see: http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/FY_2014_Grant_Award_Summaries.pdf USDA recently released the results of the first-ever Farm to School Census, which showed that in school year 2011-2012, school districts purchased and served over $350 million in local food, with more than half of participating schools planning to purchase more local foods in the future. School districts that missed the opportunity earlier in the year to respond can submit information regarding farm to school practices through November 30, 2013.  USDA's Farm to School Program is part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, which authorized USDA to provide grants and technical assistance to help schools gain better access to local foods. It is also a core element of the USDA's Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food Initiative, which coordinates the department's work on local food systems. USDA is focused on improving childhood nutrition and empowering families to make healthier food choices by providing science-based information and advice, while expanding the availability of healthy food. America's students now have healthier and more nutritious school meals due to improved nutrition standards implemented as a result of the historic Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. USDA's MyPlate symbol and the resources at ChooseMyPlate.gov provide quick, easy reference tools for parents, teachers, healthcare professionals and communities. USDA awarded $5.2 million in grants to provide training and technical assistance for child nutrition food service professionals and support stronger school nutrition education programs. Collectively these policies and actions are helping to combat child hunger and obesity, while improving the health and nutrition of the nation's children. For more information on the Farm to School program, please visit www.fns.usda.gov/farmtoschool.  Learn more at http://www.fns.usda.gov/farmtoschool or contact us at farmtoschool@fns.usda.gov. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users). Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact subscriberhelp.govdelivery.com. This service is provided to you at no charge by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. This email was sent to matts@msu.edu using GovDelivery, on behalf of: USDA Food and Nutrition Service · 3101 Park Center Drive · Alexandria, VA 22302 · 800-439-1420

FW: School and Youth Garden Grants - Upcoming Deadlines

FYI!

 

School and Youth Garden Grants
A new posting from Julia Parker-Dickerson (Director of Youth Education Programs, National Gardening Association)

Hello!  I'm the Youth Education Programs Director at the National Gardening Association, a 501c3.  This year we have a number of open grant programs that can help to start or sustain an established garden.  We have 150 awards open to schools, youth groups, and community gardens at present and more expected to open as the year goes on!  We are offering 50 of our awards to any and all international garden programs as well as United States based youth gardens.  I have included links directly to applications below. You can also visit: http://grants.kidsgardening.org/

 

2013 Healthy Sprouts: Applications due November 15th, 2013

For the fifth year, the Subaru of America Foundation and National Gardening Association are proud to present the Subaru Healthy Sprouts Award. In 2013, 50 youth and school gardens will be awarded funding and supplies to begin or sustain programming. 47 programs will receive a $500 award package, 3 top winners will receive $1,500 awards.

 

2014 Youth Garden Grant Award: Applications due Due December 6th, 2013

National Gardening Association is proud to announce the 2014 Youth Garden Grant award. This year’s award is brought to you by supporters of the National Gardening Association and generous contributions from Ames True Temper, High Mowing Seeds, Rustic Cedar, and Bonnie Plants, who will be supplying materials to the award winners. Twenty award winners will receive $1,000 in supplies and funding.

 

2014 Muhammad Ali Center Peace Garden Grant: Applications due January 17th, 2014

Now in its fourth year, the Muhammad Ali Center Peace Garden Grant will provide 50 programs, in the United States and internationally, funding and supplies to begin or sustain garden programming for youth. To date, over 150 programs in 13 countries around the world have been awarded.

 

2014 Mantis Tiller Award: Applications Due March 7th, 2014

Mantis and Kidsgardening.org proudly present the 2014 Mantis Tiller Awards! For the past 18 years, this program has provided 25 tillers to gardening programs across the United States. In the past, winners have included schools, churches, correctional facilities, parks departments, youth camps, community gardens, and many others.

 

 

MI Farm to School Training in the UP!

The MI Farm to School Training is going to the UP! This training is intended for K-12 school food service professionals and early care program directors and staff alike, whether you are just getting started with Farm to School or expanding your program. Training topics will include an overview of Michigan Farm to School, how and where to find and purchase Michigan products, developing a Farm to School team, food safety, expanding Farm to School beyond produce and beyond lunch, and more! Time will also be dedicated for attendees to learn about local food happenings and resources and to network with and learn from each to other.

 

WHEN: Tuesday, December 3^rd from 10:00 am – 2:30 pm

WHERE: Peter White Library at 217 N Front St in Marquette, MI

Lunch will be provided.

Please RSVP to the Chippewa County MSU Extension Office at 906-635-6368 by Tuesday, November 26^th.

 

This training is brought to you by the MSU Center for Regional Food Systems, MSU Extension, UP Food Exchange, Marquette Food Co-op, Western UP Health Department and the Sault Tribe Community Transformation Grant.

 

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to Institution Specialist | Michigan Lead for National Farm to School Network

Center for Regional Food Systems | Michigan State University

480 Wilson Rd | Rm 303 Natural Resources Building | East Lansing, MI 48824

(p) 517.432.0310

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

 

Michigan Farm to School News

NEWS

 

They’re here! The first ever USDA Farm to School Census results of public school districts were released last week! Thanks to you school food service directors who responded. The results from the census are now live and can be found at http://www.fns.usda.gov/farmtoschool/census.            

 

·         From a national perspective, USDA estimates that 43% of public school districts across the country have an existing Farm to School Program in place, while another 13% of school districts surveyed are committed to launching a Farm to School Program in the near future. Additionally, in School Year 2011-2012, schools purchased and served over $350 million in local food! Attached are two informative documents that detail much of the national success of the Farm to School Program.

·         Michigan had an overall response rate of 52%. Of those that responded, 40% of public school districts are currently participating in Farm to School activities. USDA estimates that local purchases in our state are valued at approximately $4,404,768. Please remember these statistics reflect only self-reported data. 

·         To be sure your school district has successfully completed the census, please visit http://www.fns.usda.gov/farmtoschool/census. To find your school district, start at our state & district section, click on the state of Michigan, and then click on the “Explore MI School Districts” button at either the top or bottom of the state summary page. If you did not have a chance to complete the census earlier this spring, USDA is accepting submissions until November 30. Please simply email Matt Benson at matthew.benson@fns.usda.gov and let him know that you would like to complete it. Let’s use the next month to show off Farm to School in Michigan and boost that number a bit! 

 

As National Farm to School Month comes to a close, here are a few news items showing off Michigan projects featuring Michigan foods!

·         Kale Chips for 8000 and Other Farm-to-school Successes by the Numbers from the Huffington Post features Michigan’s own Dan Gorman, the Food Service Director at Montague & Whitehall Schools!

·         Leelanau County schools celebrate Farm to School Month from the Glen Arbor Sun

·         To celebrate Food Day on October 24^th, Cherry Capital Foods distributor asked school kids and others to take a bite out of Michigan apples at the same time with the Michigan Apple Crunch! More than 74,000 people across the state participated! Here’s news coverage from the Traverse City Record Eagle and attached you’ll find a press release about a Michigan FoodCorps member’s efforts to help school kids in Flint and Detroit take a bite out of Michigan apples.  

 

Earlier this month, MLUI and the Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District in northwest Lower Michigan launched a regional initiative to provide schools with more locally grown fruits and veggies. The  10 Cents a Meal for School Kids & Farms program supports one of the agenda priorities of the Michigan Good Food Charter to provide additional reimbursements to schools to purchase more locally grown fruits and veggies for school meals programs.

 

On the heels of the release of the national food hubs survey report from the MSU Center for Regional Food Systems and the Wallace Center at Winrock International comes this article from DBusiness about food hub development in southeast Michigan.

 

 

OPPORTUNITIES

The USDA is hiring Regional Farm to School Coordinators! Positions will be based in San Francisco, Chicago, Denver, Boston and Robbinsville, New Jersey. Click here to learn more and apply. The application period closes November 1^st.

Boyne Falls Public School, which is a MI Farm to School Grantee this year, is hiring an Assistant Cook. See the attached job posting for more information.

The 7th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference: Powering Up will convene more than 1,000 diverse stakeholders from across the farm to cafeteria movement who are working to source local food for institutional cafeterias and foster a culture of food and agricultural literacy across America. The conference will take place April 15-18, 2014 in Austin, Texas. We need your ideas, expertise and energy to make this conference a success! Submit your proposal for a workshop, poster or lightning talk by November 8. For full details and information, download the official request for proposals.

North Central Region SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education) Farmer Rancher Grant call for proposals is now available. Proposals must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. CST, November 14, 2013.  Word |  PDF |  Text

Food Safety Modernization Act Action
The National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition has an informative website about FSMA (the Food Safety and Modernization Act) and how to submit a comment to the Act by November 15th. You can access the full proposed rule language here. If you can, take a few minutes RIGHT NOW to submit a comment to FDA either online or through the mail.

ING Unsung Heroes Award Program invites K-12 educators to apply for 2014 class project awards. Each year, 100 educators who are using new teaching methods and techniques to improve learning are selected to receive awards of $2,000 each to help fund innovative class projects. Applications are due by April 30^th, 2014.

 

EVENTS

 

LunchBites Webinar: Farm to Food Bank to School: An Emerging Model in Communities Across the Country
Tuesday, November 12th, 2013 at 1pm EST
Register Here for this webinar hosted by the National Farm to School Network

In many communities across the country, food banks are emerging as community food hubs, connecting local farms to other markets, including schools. Some food banks are engaged in other farm to school activities including experiential farm education. Join us for the November LunchBites webinar to hear from individuals who are leading this model at their local food banks.

 

Making It in Michigan: Michigan’s Premier Specialty Food Show

Hosted by the MSU Product Center

November 12^th, 2013 at the Lansing Center

Register here

 

Women in Sustainable Ag Conference

Registration is now open for the 4th National Conference for Women in Sustainable Agriculture

Nov. 6 – 8^th in Des Moines, IA

 

Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Expo

December 10 – 12^th, 2013

DeVos Center, Grand Rapids, MI

Register and find more info here

This year, the conference program features a Farm to Institution Marketing Panel Discussion brought to you by the Ecology Center and MSU Extension on Wednesday, December 11^th at 1 pm!

 

National Farm to Cafeteria Conference: Powering Up

April 15 – 18^th

Austin, TX

 

 

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to Institution Specialist | Michigan Lead for National Farm to School Network

Center for Regional Food Systems | Michigan State University

480 Wilson Rd | Rm 303 Natural Resources Building | East Lansing, MI 48824

(p) 517.432.0310

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

 

Michigan Farm to School News

 

 

NEWS

 

The 2014 Farm to Cafeteria Conference RFP released on September 13th!

The National Farm to School Network released the workshop, poster session and lightning talk RFP on the conference website on September 13th! Take a look if you’re interested in sharing about your Farm to School program at this national conference!

 

Kids Count Data Center

Do you know about the Kids Count national indicators? Check out this database for a wealth of demographic information that may be useful for your farm to school program. There is data available in this vast database for indicators in demographics, economic well-being, education, family and community, health, and safety and risk behaviors. 

 

 

RESOURCES

 

Get ready for October: "Theme of the Day" calendar celebrates Farm to School Month

National Farm to School Month kicks off October 1, but schools and organizations are making plans now! To celebrate and spotlight the many aspects of farm to school, the National Farm to School Network put together a theme of the day calendar that you can use to plan your activities. During October, each theme day will be accompanied by a blog post containing information and activity ideas. To further aid your planning process, a preview of all of the blog posts will be available on farmtoschoolmonth.org starting in mid-August. The blog posts will  be written by a variety of partner organizations throughout the month, providing unique perspectives and stories. Download this PDF version of the calendar, and check out our other resources as well as the items in our shop, such as these "I ate local food today!" stickers.

 

Slow Food USA’s School Garden Guide

A newly released guide on how to jumpstart a Slow Food school garden, with topics ranging from curriculum design to volunteer staffing. http://www.slowfoodusa.org/files/files/slow-food-usa-school-garden-manual.pdf

 

Farm to School Curriculum for High School Students

From DC Greens - http://dcgreens.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/High-School-Lesson-Plans.pdf

From the Kentucky Farm 2 School Curriculum (KF2S) - http://www.kyagr.com/consumer/documents/FD_FS_Curriculum.pdf

 

SPARK Grant-Finder Tool
The SPARK Grant-Finder Tool helps you locate funding for your Physical Education, After school, Early childhood or Coordinated School Health program. Grants can be used for curriculum, teacher training, or equipment.

 

 

OPPORTUNITIES

 

Become a Veggicator Educator

The Veggiecation team is thrilled to announce the launch of the new Veggiecation Educator Training Workshop (VETW)! This new concept gives individuals across the nation the skills and resources needed to teach the Healthy Kids Cooking Classes that Veggiecation has become known for in NY, NJ, and CT. If you are a healthy eating advocate or someone who loves to cook whole foods, this training program is a good way to engage your community in your interests!

 

Healthy Young America Video Contest

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) and Young Invincibles launched the Healthy Young America video contest to encourage young people to get health insurance and take advantage of the new options available to them under the health care law. Submit a video and compete to win from a prize pool of up to $30,000 – and over 100 prizes. Better yet, enter the contest and hope your video goes viral! Entries due by September 23rd.

 

Open Calls for Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) Grants

The 2014 Research and Education Grant call for preproposals is now available. Preproposals must be submitted online by 4:00 p.m. CDT, October 24, 2013. Word | PDF | Text

The 2014 Youth Educator Grant call for proposals is now available. Proposals must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. CDT, November 1, 2013.  Word |  PDF |  Text

The 2014 Farmer Rancher Grant call for proposals is now available. Proposals must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. CST, November 14, 2013.  Word |  PDF |  Text

Timelines for NCR-SARE's grant programs can be found here. Sample calls for proposals and lists of recently funded projects can be found here. To receive notifications when calls for proposals are open, contact the NCR-SARE office.

Kids in Need Foundation Invites Applications for 2013 Teacher Grants Program

Grants of up to $500 will be awarded to K-12 educators for projects that strengthen creativity, critical thinking skills, and/or core knowledge by engaging students in the learning process.... 

Deadline: September 30, 2013 

 

Whole Kids Foundation Accepting Applications for School Garden Grant Program

Grants of $2,000 are available to public and private K-12 schools in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada to help fund school garden projects....

Deadline: October 31, 2013 

 

Lowe's Toolbox for Education Accepting Applications for K-12 Public School Improvement Projects

Grants of up to $5,000 will support basic necessities, with a preference for funding requests that have a permanent impact, such as facility enhancement as well as landscaping/cleanup projects.... 

Deadline: October 15, 2013 

 

Applications Invited for Terri Lynne Lokoff/Children's Tylenol National Child Care Teacher Awards

Fifty teachers will be selected to receive grants of up to $1,500, plus the chance to win an additional prize of $1,000, in recognition of their dedication to providing high-quality child care.... 

Deadline: December 6, 2013 

 

MA Farm to School seeks Executive Director

The Massachusetts Farm to School Project, a statewide organization in its 10th year of operation, seeks a new Executive Director.The ideal candidate will be a proven leader with significant fundraising, budgeting, public speaking and organizational planning skills. Significant management experience in some aspect of institutional food services, agriculture, food systems work, economic development or non-profit advocacy is required. She/he will be a strategic thinker and a pragmatic supervisor, able to inspire staff and stakeholders to create a vision for the future while overseeing the current work of the organization. For more information and application instructions, please visit their website.

 

University of Wisconsin-Extension Hiring for Two Positions

Community Food Systems AmeriCorps Vista Position

Bi-Lingual Nutrition & Financial Educator Position Open

 

Regional Food System Coordinator at CAFF in California
CAFF is hiring a Regional Food Systems Coordinator to provide assistance to regional programs and to staff statewide networks, such as CA FoodCorps and the Buy Fresh Buy Local Network. See the attached job description for more information. Position closes on September 20, 2013.

EVENTS

 

MI Farm to School Trainings provided by MSU Center for Regional Food Systems

·         Tuesday, September 24^th, 12:30 – 4:30 pm

Gratiot Isabella RESD (Regional Education Service District), 1131 E. Center St, Ithaca, MI

·         Wednesday, September 25^th, 12:30 – 4:30 pm

Odawa Casino & Resort, 1760 Lears Rd., Petoskey, MI

·         Friday, September 27^th, 12:30 – 4:30 pm with an optional tour of Detroit Eastern Market beginning at 10:30 am with lunch to follow

Detroit Eastern Market, Shed 3, Detroit, MI

·         Tuesday, October 1^st, 12:30 – 4:30 pm

Kalamazoo Regional Education Service Agency (KRESA) West Campus Site, 4606 Croyden Ave, Kalamazoo, MI

 

RSVP for any one of these trainings here – http://msucarrs.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_6fLZ14SgxFPdMmF. RSVPs will be accepted on a first come first serve basis as space allows for each training location. If you have any questions or need any additional information, please contact Julia Smith (smith503@msu.edu or 517-432-4525), Farm to School Specialist with the MSU Center for Regional Food Systems and manager of the MI Farm to School Grant Program.

 

 

Online Good Agricultural Practices (GAPs) course offered for growers, processors

Cornell University offers two sessions of Implementing GAPs: A Key to Produce Safety, a self-directed online course on Good Agricultural Practices. The sessions are Sept. 18-Oct. 10 and Oct. 23-Nov. 12, 2013. The course typically takes 15-20 hours to complete. Course fee is $190.

 

Illinois Farm Bureau: 3rd Annual Local and Regional Food Summit

You are invited to attend the third annual Local and Regional Food Summit on November 12, 2013. This one-day event is hosted by the Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Department of Agriculture and Heartland Community College and will take place at Heartland Community College, Astroth Community Education Center, 1500 West Raab Road, Normal, IL. between 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM (Doors open 8:30 AM).

This event is an opportunity for local food stakeholders to convene and learn more about local and regional initiatives in the state. Attendees will include state and federal agencies, colleges and universities, nonprofits, associations, councils, task forces, farmers, government liaisons, economic development officers, chamber of commerce managers, food safety professionals, and others.

While the event is free, seating is limited. Early confirmed registrations are encouraged. Register now by clicking here. 

 

eXtension Community and Farm to School Webinars

The USDA Farm to School Program (http://www.fns.usda.gov/farmtoschool) is hosting two webinars in partnership with the eXtension Community of Practice in Community, Local, and Regional Food Systems on Wednesday, September 25th at 1 p.m. EST and Wednesday, October 9th at 1 p.m. EST to explore how partnering with Cooperative Extension professionals can support local and regional farm to school programs. The purpose of these webinars is to feature best practices and case examples of how Extension professionals are involved with farm to school and to describe how other farm to school related organizations are collaborating with Extension on many diverse farm to school activities. Join the webinars here - http://www.fns.usda.gov/f2s/webinars.

·         Webinar #1: Partnering with Cooperative Extension to Support Farm to School Wednesday, September 25, 2013 | 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. EST

Presenters: Emily Jackson, Program Director, Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project and Teresa Wiemerslage, Program Coordinator, Iowa State University Extension & Outreach

Emily Jackson, with Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project and SE Regional Lead for the National Farm to School Network, will share the results of a three-state project that focused on identifying the roles Cooperative Extension can play in farm to school (http://growing-minds.org/farm-to-school-resources-for-cooperative-extension ). ASAP also partners with North Carolina Cooperative Extension to strengthen farm to school in Western North Carolina. Teresa Wiemerslage from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will share how she is supporting local food procurement, school wellness, and youth engagement in 16 school districts in Northeast Iowa. 

·         Webinar #2: Partnering with Cooperative Extension to Support Farm to School Wednesday, October 9, 2013 | 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. EST

Presenters: Julia Govis, Program Coordinator, University of Illinois Extension and Morgan Taggart, Program Specialist, Ohio State University Extension

Julia Govis from University of Illinois Extension will share information about how she is leading farm to school in Illinois through the development of educational resources and curriculum to support Extension work in its diverse program areas. Morgan Taggart from Ohio State University Extension will describe how OSU Extension has prioritized involvement in farm to school and how other Extension professionals in urban and suburban areas can be involved with farm to school related activities. Morgan will also share how she is currently involved with farm to school across the Cleveland area through school gardens, local food procurement, and local food and agriculture curriculum development/ instruction.

 

 

Women in Sustainable Ag Conference

Registration is now open for the 4th National Conference for Women in Sustainable Agriculture, Nov. 6 - 8. “This is the first time this conference will be held in the Midwest, and we are excited to invite colleagues from all across the country to join us as presenters and attendees,” said Leigh Adcock, WFAN executive director.

 

Making It in Michigan – Michigan’s Premiere Specialty Food Show

Trade Show and Conference sponsored by the MSU Product Center

November 12, 2013

Lansing Center, Lansing, MI

 

Make plans to attend the 7th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference April 15-18, 2014 in Austin, Texas

The National Farm to Cafeteria Conference: Powering Up will convene a diverse group of stakeholders from across the farm to cafeteria movement—more than 1,000 food service professionals, farmers, educators, youth leaders, policy makers,  state/federal agency professionals, public health professionals and others—working to source local food for institutional cafeterias and foster a culture of food and agricultural literacy across America. Cafeterias in schools, universities, prisons, hospitals and childcare centers serve more than 40 million Americans every day during the school year, placing the farm to cafeteria movement at the forefront of the fight to end obesity and strengthen local food systems. Make plans to be in Austin April 15-18, 2014, for three days of inspiring field trips, workshops, speakers and networking. The conference is hosted by the National Farm to School Network. For more information: www.farmtocafeteriaconference.org

 

 

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to Institution Specialist | Michigan Lead for National Farm to School Network

Center for Regional Food Systems | Michigan State University

480 Wilson Rd | Rm 303 Natural Resources Building | East Lansing, MI 48824

(p) 517.432.0310

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

 

 

 

FW: MI Farm to School Trainings & National Farm to School Month!

Greetings school food service and pre-K and early care program directors and staff,

Just a reminder to sign up for a MI Farm to School training session if you’re interested! See below for more information, dates and locations as well as a link to RSVP.

 

Best,

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to Institution Specialist

Center for Regional Food Systems | Michigan State University

480 Wilson Rd | Rm 303 Natural Resources Building | East Lansing, MI 48824

(p) 517.432.0310

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

 

 

 

Get ready for National Farm to School Month in October by participating in one of the MI Farm to School Trainings in your area!

 

Through generous funding from the WK Kellogg Foundation, the MSU Center for Regional Food Systems is offering MI Farm to School Training sessions around the state as part of the MI Farm to School Grant Program. To help bring local food into food service programs, this grant program provides Farm to School Planning and Implementation mini-grants to selected school food service professionals at schools/districts AND early child care and education programs with 50% free and reduced rates or greater (or equivalent). Seventeen MI Farm to School grants were awarded for the 2013/2014 school year (the application period is now closed), and all grantees will attend the training nearest them. Now, we would like to extend the invitation to all Michigan school food service and early child care program providers (regardless of the free and reduced rate of your program/school/district) who are interested beginning or expanding Farm to School programs!

 

The MI Farm to School training dates and locations are as follows:

 

·     Tuesday, September 24^th, 12:30 – 4:30 pm

Gratiot Isabella RESD (Regional Education Service District)

1131 East Center St.

Ithaca, MI 48847

 

·     Wednesday, September 25^th, 12:30 – 4:30pm 

      Odawa Casino & Resort

      1760 Lears Rd. 

      Petoskey, MI 49770

 

·     Friday, September 27^th, 12:30 – 4:30pm 

***with an optional Tour of Detroit Eastern Market at 10:30 am and lunch to follow!***

Detroit Eastern Market

Shed 3

Detroit, MI 48207

 

·     Tuesday, October 1^st, 12:30 – 4:30 pm

Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency (KRESA) West Campus Site 
4606 Croyden Ave

Kalamazoo, MI 49006

 

Training topics will include an overview of Michigan Farm to School, how and where to find and purchase Michigan products, developing a Farm to School team, meeting nutrition and program standards with locally-grown food, food safety, expanding Farm to School programs beyond produce and beyond lunch, and more! Time will also be dedicated for attendees to network with and learn from each to other. Light refreshments will be served at each training, and lunch will be included for those who wish to attend the optional tour of Detroit Eastern Market prior to the training there on September 27th. 

 

RSVP for any one of these free trainings here - http://msucarrs.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_6fLZ14SgxFPdMmF. RSVPs will be accepted on a first come first serve basis as space allows for each training location. If you have any questions or need any additional information, please contact Julia Smith (smith503@msu.edu or 517-432-4525), our new Farm to School Specialist at the MSU Center for Regional Food Systems and manager of the MI Farm to School Grant Program.