Farm to School Programs

October is National Farm to School Month and at Farm Aid we’re celebrating the remarkable progress that’s been made, while still pushing for more. Farm to School programs connect farmers and schools to provide healthy, farm fresh food and revolutionize the learning environment. These programs, of all shapes and sizes, are producing tangible benefits for kids, farmers and communities.
The Farm to School Act of 2017—introduced in Congress with bipartisan support—expands and improves on these programs for students, family farmers and communities nationwide. But, this legislation is not a done deal.
Take action before October is over! Tell Congress you want them to:
  • Increase funding for the USDA Farm to School Grant Program from $5 million to $15 million;
  • Include preschools, summer food service sites, after school programs, and tribal schools and farmers; and
  • Improve participation of beginning, veteran and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.
From farmers to students, parents, school food administrators, teachers and activists, there are many people making Farm to School programs possible. Read the stories of some of the people we call, Farm to School Rockstars.
Kevin Hesser is definitely one of these rockstars. He has been infusing hands-on gardening into his curriculum in San Andreas, CA, for almost two decades. He recalls when he started teaching about food and gardens that he had to get creative since these programs were few and far between. Now garden-based education is much more common, and both teachers and students are seeing the benefits. Kevin says, “There is a power in that hands-on approach. A garden provides the inspiration and space that we need to learn.”

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