By SANDRA RENNER, Chief People Officer
Farm-to-School is a win for students, a win for farmers, and a win for communities. It strengthens the food system and local economies, and it provides opportunities for students to develop new skills, such as agricultural or livestock production, marketing, business, and entrepreneurship.
During the past decade, the farm-to-school movement has exploded across the U.S., reaching millions of students in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and U.S. territories. School gardens, school farms, high tunnels, and farm field trips have expanded the classroom and hands-on learning for students.
Students and farmers alike are growing local food for cafeteria trays, and farm-to-school practices help children learn where food comes from and make healthier choices, while also creating new markets for local and regional farmers. Farm-to-school also helps more students explore careers in food systems, farming, and agriculture, to which they might not otherwise be exposed.
Many states celebrate National Farm-to-School Month with special events, such as holding local food tastings, including the Great Apple Crunch, launching a Harvest of the Month program, introducing local meats and proteins, or organizing a weeklong series of activities. These special events are providing even more opportunities to get involved this October and bring the farm right into school.
Find out how your state celebrates by exploring the National Farm-to-School Month Events Calendar at farmtoschoolmonth.org#events.