Press Release: March 9, 2010; Contact: Ben Lilliston, (612) 870-3416, ben@iatp.org

Farm to school efforts double in Minnesota: Demand from students, farmers and schools grows for farm to school programs

Minneapolis – The number of Minnesota school districts purchasing fresh food from local farms has more than doubled in the last 15 months, according to a survey released today by the Minnesota School Nutrition Association (MSNA) and the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP).

Farm to school programs link school children with local farmers and farm products, including fruits and vegetables, meat, grains and other items. Farm to school provides fresh, healthy food choices, helps children develop healthy eating habits and supports small and mid-size farmers.

The survey gathered input from MSNA’s membership, which includes foodservice professionals from nearly 100 public school districts serving approximately 550,000 K-12 students across the state. Sixty-nine districts reported purchasing Minnesota-grown products in 2009, more than double the figure from late 2008. Further, 77 percent of the districts now involved with farm to school initiatives expect to expand their activities in the upcoming school year, a sign that these programs are taking root and growing.

“Farm to school benefits our students, communities, farmers and the local economy throughout the state,” said MSNA President Mary Anderson. “This is a very positive program on so many levels. The  potential for growth is enormous.”

“Parents, students and educators know that good nutrition is essential if our kids are to be healthy and ready to learn. Small and mid-size farmers, whose products have largely been absent from America’s lunch trays, can offer our children fresh, less-processed choices and a chance to learn how and where their food is grown,” said IATP’s JoAnne Berkenkamp. “The momentum is rapidly building for farm to school programs and it’s great to see schools and farmers embracing this opportunity.”

Other key findings from the survey include:

• The most commonly used local foods were apples, potatoes, peppers, winter squash, sweet corn and tomatoes. A growing number of schools are also purchasing Minnesota-grown bison, wild rice, dried beans and grains.

• Nearly 43 percent of school districts purchasing Minnesota-grown food in 2009 did so by purchasing directly from a farmer or farmer co-op.

• While 84 percent of the survey respondents reported purchasing foods grown in Minnesota, 35 percent also purchased foods grown in neighboring areas of Wisconsin, Iowa and/or North or South Dakota.

• The biggest barriers to expanding farm to school purchases were the need for extra labor and preparation time in the cafeteria, pricing and tight food budgets, and difficulty finding nearby farmers to purchase from directly.

• In the future, schools are most interested in purchasing local vegetables and fruit, with growing interest in bread and grains, dairy and meat.  The survey also showed strong interest in expanding student education about Farm to School and growing food in school gardens.

In the coming year, IATP and MSNA will build on the growing momentum for Farm to School to expand farmer involvement, increase foodservice staff training opportunities, work with more students and increase public awareness

IATP’s work on expanding farm to school initiatives is supported in part by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota as part of Prevention Minnesota, Blue Cross’ long-term health improvement initiative that is working to tackle the root causes of preventable heart disease and cancer.

You can learn more about the farm to school survey at iatp.org and mnsna.org .

The purpose of Minnesota School Nutrition Association is to provide our members opportunities for professional development and to build relationships that make a difference in the lives of children. www.mnsna.org .

The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy works locally and globally at the intersection of policy and practice to ensure fair and sustainable food, farm and trade systems. www.iatp.org

Leaping Lambs & Shear Delights! (special)

Saturday, April 17

TIME: 10 am – 1 pm FEE: Member: $6/adult, $4/child; nonmember: $7/adult, $5/child NO PREGISTRATION

Celebrate this special time of year! Visit our new lambs, watch their moms get sheared, wash the fleece and learn how to hand spin. Try your hand at felting, taste some sheep’s milk cheese, and much more!

Cheddar is a Verb! Be a Cheesemaker for a Day (adult)

Friday, APRIL 23

TIME: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm FEE: $75/person (includes lunch)  REGISTRATION: 802-985-8686

A full-day experience in the art and science of cheese. Work side-by-side with our cheesemakers to turn 6,000 lbs of milk into cheddar! Topics include: raw milk cheese, the 8 steps of cheesemaking, and cheese quality and aging. The day includes a home cheesemaking demonstration

Sheep Shearing Clinic (adult)

Saturday, April 24

TIME: 9:00 am–3:00 pm FEE: $125 for shearing (must bring own equipment); $50 for lectures & observation REGISTRATION: 802-524-6501

Learn the hands-on basics of sheep shearing in this day-long workshop guided by professional sheep shearer, Chet Parsons.  Sponsored by UVM Extension.

Vacation Day: Farmer for a Day (family)

Mon.–Wednesday, April 26–28

Register for one, two, or all three days.

TIME: 9:00 am–3:30 pm Ages: 5–12 FEE: Member: $45/child/day; nonmember: $50/child/day  REGISTRATION REQUIRED:  802-985-8686

Pitch in to prepare the farm for spring! Earth Day adds to the significance of caring for farm animals and garden plants that provide us with food. Activities may also include work in our sugarbush, or on our walking trails or beaches.      Before & after care available upon request. Please contact Peter Bullock 985-0309.

Interested parties please contact Sarah Poten at spoten@greenmarket.grownyc.org or 212-341-2259

Who we are: Greenmarket, a program of Grow NYC, is dedicated to promoting regional agriculture, preserving farmland, and ensuring a continuing supply of fresh, local produce for all New Yorkers. We operate 50 open air farmers markets throughout the five boroughs.

The Greenmarket Youth Education Project connects thousands of New York City schoolchildren in grades K-12 with Greenmarkets and regional farmers each year.  Through fun, interactive learning experiences like School Tours at market, Meet Your Farmer classroom visits, Seed-to-Plate cooking classes and On The Farm field trips we help children gain an understanding of local agriculture and the importance of eating fresh, seasonal foods–for their bodies, their environment and their communities.

Greenmarket School Tours introduce the concepts of seasonality, local food, and sustainable agriculture to over 3500 schoolchildren each year.  We have an Education Station tent at our Union Square Greenmarket and are seeking interns to assist with on-site programming, materials and school tours. Additionally we are seeking assistance with our middle school curriculum pilot that incorporates seasonal cooking classes, farm visits, and in-class visits with farmers.

Job Description:

This unpaid internship offers flexible hours both at market, in the classroom and in the office. For college students, incorporating credit requirements into the project is a welcome possibility.

Responsibilities may include:

• Staffing the Union Square Education Station

Field questions and organize displays and materials

Perform cooking demonstrations

Coordinate tabling events with volunteers and outside partners

Assist with and lead school tours

• Help to coordinate pilot project for ages 10-14 exploring local food and sustainable farming, the links between diet and health and basic nutrition, and food-related careers.
• Develop child-friendly nutritionally balanced recipes and educational hand-outs
  • Coordinate school tour schedule and prepare take-home materials.
  • Assist with writing and production of the Youth Quarterly Newsletter.

The position offers an exciting opportunity to make a creative contribution towards helping New York City’s children understand where their food comes from, and why their food choices are so important.

Sarah Poten

Education and Special Projects Coordinator, Greenmarket
GrowNYC (formerly Council on the Environment of NYC)
51 Chambers Street, Suite 1231, New York NY 10007
spoten@greenmarket.grownyc.org
212.341.2259 (w)
917.575.9281 (m)
212.571.0778 (f)

Growing awareness. minds. food. gardens…growing a better NYC

Get involved at www.GrowNYC.org

Fresh Food for All has two models to connect local farms and organizations serving low-income communities:

1. Local Produce Link

2. Direct Purchasing

Are you a NYC soup kitchen, food pantry, or other type of institution serving low-income families? Would you like to get fresh vegetables from a local farm?  Click here to learn more.

Are you a farmer interested in growing vegetables for NYC food pantries and soup kitchens?  Click here to learn more and to find out how to apply.

Do you need emergency food?  If so, call the NYC Hunger Hotline at 1-866-888-8777 or contact the Food Bank for NYC at 212-566-7855.

Just Food has also produced a toolkit to share this model with other communities.  Find out more at: http://www.justfood.org/marketplace/just-food-tools/local-produce-link-toolkit

Time: March 27, 2010 from 8am to 4pm
Location: Bristol County Agricultural High School
Street: 135 Center Street
City/Town: Dighton, MA
Website: http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07e2phblet84e20970
Phone: 774-240-7004
Organized By: Katie Cavanagh

Enhance Your Farm’s Future

3rd Annual One-Day Farm Conference & Resource Fair Organized by Bristol County Conservation District & SEMAP Saturday, March 27, 2010, 8:00 am-4:00 pm Bristol County Agricultural High School, 135 Center St., Dighton MA.

Topics: Feeding livestock in today’s economy; Agri-tourism; Soil Fertility; Artificial insemination; Purchasing Public Land; and Biochar.

8:00 am: Registration
8:30 – 9:00 am: Resource Fair
9:00 – 10:30 am: Agri-Tourism Workshop – Panel discussion with Richard LeBlanc from MDAR, Stu Nunnery from RICAPE, and Julia Grimaldi from SAVOR Massachusetts.
10:30 – 12:00 pm: (choose your workshop)

1. Feeding your Livestock in Today’s Economy – Eric Reid, animal nutritionist from Old Mill Troy, NY will review general livestock feeding principles, evaluating feed efficiency, and the use of byproduct feeds.
2. An Introduction to Soil Fertility – Derek Christianson from Brix Bounty Farm will discuss the role soil fertility plays in crop yields and quality, including a review of amendments used in organic farm fertility programs

12:00 – 1:30 pm: Lunch – Prepared by Mike Melo of M&C Cafe, New Bedford.
12:00 – 1:30 pm: Resource Fair & Grant Room – Get your questions answered and learn about new offerings from exhibitors. Including Ventura Grain, Bristol Community College, Farm Bureau, Organic Gem, Farm Credit East, Fuel the Fleet, Fieldworks, Padula Brothers, Farm Family Insurance, SEMAP, Whole Foods, Rhode Island Raised Livestock Association, and more. During Lunch: Updates on farm grant & cost-share programs from USDA, MDAR, FSA, NRCS, SBA, BCCD, and others.
1:30 – 3:00 pm: (choose your workshop)

1. All you wanted to know about AI and were afraid to ask! – Kim Tarvis from Kansas State, will discuss many aspects of reproduction and the practice of artificial insemination.
2. Purchasing Public Land – Attorney Matt Thomas will discuss the general principles of the RFP process and strategies for both the farmer looking to bid on the land and the municipality selling the land. Learn what your options are and how to make them work for you. Attorney Thomas encourages particpants to come with your questions. (cont. thru next session 3:00 – 4:00 pm)
3. Retort Tour & Demo - Bob Wells from New England Biochar will bring two of his retort systems and demonstrate how biochar is made.

3:00 – 4:00 pm: (choose your workshop)

1. Artificial Insemination Demo – Kim Tarvis will lead the group through an onsite AI demonstration.
2. Purchasing Public Land – Attorney Matt Thomas will discuss the general principles of the RFP process and strategies for both the farmer looking to bid on the land and the municipality selling the land. Learn what your options are and how to make them work for you. Attorney Thomas encourages particpants to come with your questions. (cont. from last session 1:30 – 3:00 pm)
3. Biochar 101 - Bob Wells will discuss biochar what it is, and what it’s not. How it can make you money, and improve your soil, all while making the world a better place.
   

Time: April 10, 2010 from 9am to 12pm
Location: In every region of Massachusetts
Website: http://www.nofamass.org/programs/extensionevents/workshopday.php
Phone: 413-658-5374
Organized By: Ben Grosscup

With basic gardening workshops available in every region of the state (Monterey, Chesterfield, Wendell, Winchendon, Barre, South Natick, Mattapan, Newbury, Dartmouth, and Centerville), anyone wanting to plant a garden has a nearby opportunity to learn new techniques. Registration: $30. NOFA membership discount: $5. Early registration (by March 27) discount: $5. Workshop descriptions, online registration, and downloadable mail-in registration from available online:
http://www.nofamass.org/programs/extensionevents/workshopday.php

Overview: Sustainable Food Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to cultivating a healthy community by strengthening the local food system and improving access to nutritious, affordable food. The Happy Kitchen/La Cocina Alegre™ (THK) is a program of Sustainable Food Center that provides individuals and institutions with the resources and knowledge to make lasting dietary and behavioral changes. THK offers free, interactive 6-week cooking class series that emphasize the selection and preparation of fresh, seasonal foods that are nutritious, economical, and delicious.

Duties:

• Coordinate community-trained facilitators and cooking class logistics
• Oversee inventory tracking and maintenance of cooking equipment and educational materials
• Develop educational materials for events targeted to underserved families at risk for nutrition-related disease
• Assess community needs and develop new training content and resources
• Market nutrition education products and materials
• Work with the THK Program Director to deliver training to staff and/or volunteers of agencies interested in replicating The Happy Kitchen/La Cocina Alegre™ cooking and nutrition education series
• Support and represent Sustainable Food Center initiatives in the community
• Some evenings and weekends required

Qualifications:

• MUST BE Bilingual English/Spanish (professional oral and written skills); native Spanish speaker preferred
• Experience in community development/organizing in underserved communities
• Experience producing low-literate health education materials
• Experience adapting educational materials for culturally diverse audiences
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in both English and Spanish
• Strong organizational skills including strategic planning and non-formal evaluation methods
• Commitment to promoting culturally appropriate and sustainable food systems
• Current driver’s license and reliable source of transportation

Compensation: Sustainable Food Center is an equal opportunity employer; women and people of color are encouraged to apply. Salary in the $30,000 – $35,000 range for fulltime equivalent. Position is part-time, 25 hours per week, with health benefits included.

Email resume, cover letter, references and a Spanish/English writing sample to the following address:  joy@sustainablefoodcenter.org

No phone calls, por favor.

Resumes accepted until March 19, 2010

Kayam also has a summer fellowship/internship program:

Entering our third season, the Kayam Summer Fellowship brings together talented, passionate young Jews who farm, teach, and live together on Kayam Farm at the Pearlstone Center, just outside Baltimore. Fellows start each morning by working together on our 2.5 acre farm, which includes vegetables, fruit trees, grape vines, culinary and medicinal herbs, grains, berries, asparagus, educational gardens, and a large greenhouse. Kayam fellows teach about 5 hours/day at Camp Milldale, the JCC DAY camp on-site. The fellowship runs June 8th-August 23rd. Fellows live together in Kfar Kayam, a tent village located just a few steps away from the farm. We live together in community, farming and teaching during the day, learning and playing music at night (instruments strongly encouraged).

Fellows receive a $1600 stipend in three payments over the course of the summer, plus room & board. Fellows also receive health insurance through Pearlstone. Upon completion of the fellowship, fellows receive a Certificate in Jewish Community Gardening and Jewish Environmental Education. It is our hope that fellows use their experience at Kayam to start and/or enhance similar programs elsewhere.

We have 5 positions available. In addition to these five will be one Israeli fellow and four Kayam staff, making our total community 10 people. We are looking for hard workers, good teachers, creative minds, fun-lovers, and people who take initiative. To apply, fill out the application and send to jakir@pearlstonecenter.org.