Greetings Farm to School Network!
I hope you all are having a wonderful start to 2017! I hope you all are staying warm…
What better way to start another year of farm to school than by planning your own Cherry Slurp! See details below on the upcoming Michigan Cherry Slurp (released this week!). If you need some farm to school motivation in the winter, celebrating cherries in all their frozen and dried glory is a great way to keep your programming going all year long.
Events
· Michigan Cherry Slurp – February 14
o The Michigan Cherry Slurp is a one day event highlighting tart cherries! Similar to the Michigan Apple Crunch, this is a day to get creative and host an event centered around Michigan tart cherries. Register your institution today, and join us for an informational webinar on January 19!
· Farm to ECE Webinar Series: Purchasing from Farmers – January 11, 1:00 pm
o The next in our mini webinar series, this 20-minute webinar will feature strategies for purchasing from local farmers for early childhood programs. Catch up on the series and register today!
· Webinar: Seasonal Menu Planning – January 16 2:00 pm
o This is an opportunity to deepen your knowledge of developing a menu around Michigan seasonality and diving deep into the Making Michigan Recipes Work resources. Register today!
· Upcoming Hoophouses for Health Webinars – starting January 24
o Learn more about successful hoophouse growing and marketing strategies in these upcoming webinars. Registration is required
§ Advanced Cool Season Crop Production Webinar on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 from 8-9 p.m.
§ Packaging and Display for Farmers Market Stands on Tuesday, January 31, 2017 from 8-9 p.m.
§ Basic Hoophouse/High Tunnel Design and Structure Options on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 from 8-9 p.m.
Opportunities
· NFSN seeks Extension/Farm to ECE examples
o The National Farm to School Network is seeking examples of farm to ECE projects led by, or in partnership with, extension programs or agents. Please email examples to lacy@farmtoschool.org
· Job: Director of Food Services – Hudsonville/Jenison Public Schools
· Hudsonville/Jenison Public Schools is hiring a director to oversee their food service program.
· 2017 Northern Michigan Small Farms Conference – January 28
o This annual event will feature over 30 educational courses, panels and breakout sessions.
News
· Betsie Valley Elementary fuels up for school health – MSU Extension
o Betsie Valley will send students, teachers, and principal to a day-long rally for healthy school eating and physical activity. The team chose farm to school as their healthy eating play!
School Garden Resources
In lieu of the December Michigan School Garden Newsletter, I wanted to pass on some opportunities to financially support your school gardens. See below for a list of available grants!
· American Honda Foundation - Due dates three times per year, next one is August 1
o Schools, nonprofits classified as 501(c) (3) s and private or public schools (elementary and secondary) are eligible.
o Award range: $20,000 - $75,000 for one year
· !Captain Planet Foundation – Due January 31st for spring and summer projects
o Schools and organizations that have an annual operating budget of less than $3 million are eligible to apply. Projects should be performed by youth and have real environmental outcomes.
o Award range is between $500 and $2,500.
· The Home Depot Foundation – Community Impact Grants currently open
o Schools and 501(c) (3) organizations are eligible.
o Awards are up to $5,000
o The Home Depot also has opportunities to match donations from local stores with nonprofits. Follow this link for more information on how to request a match.
· Project Produce Fruit and Veggie Grants for Schools – distributed on a rolling basis
o Any district or independent school participating in the National School Lunch Program is eligible.
o Must be submitted by district food service director.
o These grants are $2,500 and can assist with offering educational activities in the lunchroom, encouraging students to try new veggies and fruits.
· Youth Micro-grants through Karma for Cara Foundation – Rolling deadline
o Youth under age 18 who are working on a community service project (including school and community gardens).
o Awards are between $250 - $1,000.
Best,
Farm to School Specialist
MSU Center for Regional Food Systems
480 Wilson Rd Rm 309 | East Lansing, MI 48824
(p) 517-432-4525 (f) 517-353-3834
www.foodsystems.msu.edu | www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu
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The Michigan Cherry Slurp is a one day event highlighting one of Michigan's most well-known agricultural products – tart cherries!
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