Hello Farm to Fork Friends!
We’re in the thick of holiday season, and of course thinking about how we can keep including local food on our plates during the winter festivities. How did you celebrate Thanksgiving? Lincoln Elementary in South Salt Lake hosted a Harvest Gratitude Day with Governor Gary Herbert, Utah Commissioner of Agriculture Kerry Gibson, and local farmers Thayne and Carrie Tagge and Tyson Roberts. The sixth graders got to hear directly from the farmers about the food they grow for Thanksgiving dinner tables, and all students participated in a kale planting activity in the cafeteria. Check out a video from the day on USBE’s Facebook page.
What to Harvest this Month
Hopefully local turkey makes its way onto your plate this season. Did you know Sanpete County has more turkeys than people? When it comes to produce, now is the time to be thinking of storage crops and items that grow well indoors, like sturdy greens and mushrooms. Try a mix of roasted carrots, parsnips, potatoes, and onions alongside your turkey.
Get Involved!
Advocacy Opportunity: Incentivizing Local Purchasing
USBE, UDAF, and the Local Food Advisory Council have been working to secure legislative funding for a program that would reimburse schools for their local food purchases. If your school or organization would benefit from this program, we need your help to get the funding approved. Contact kate.wheeler@schools.utah.gov if you are willing to reach out to your local representatives—we will provide you will all the information you need to do so.
Save the Date: National Farm to Cafeteria Conference
The 10th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference is coming to Albuquerque, New Mexico, April 21-23, 2020! This biennial event brings together food service professionals, farmers, educators, students, representatives from nonprofits and government agencies, public health professionals and more to network and learn. Visit farmtoschool.org/conference for more details.
Webinars and Trainings
Utah State University Extension services has 33 locations throughout the state. Extension agents can be great partners for farm to school activities, especially if you are in a rural county without a lot of other resources or services. Check out this recorded four-part webinar series on partnering with Extension, and then visit https://extension.usu.edu/locations to find your local Extension office.
Improving Equity
November was Native American Heritage Month. In celebration, the Intertribal Agricultural Council and National Farm to School Network have created a series of blogs posts profiling Native farm to school champions. Check out their profiles here.
Job Opportunities
Outreach and Development Coordinator, Youth Garden Project, Moab
This position will continue to enhance and expand YGP’s volunteer program, manage the outreach and marketing efforts of the organization, oversee community programs, and be a key player in the fundraising efforts of YGP. This position is open until filled, with a desired start date of January 8, 2020. See the full job description and application instructions here.
Youth Programs Instructor, Youth Garden Project, Moab
YGP is looking for an intern that is interested in working as an educator in a hands-on, outdoor setting within a variety of educational programs, including afterschool programs, camps, and environmental science class. The internship is from February 26-August 14, 2020. Youth Garden Project will provide housing and a $400/month stipend. To apply, please email a brief cover letter and an attached resume with three professional references to Youth Programs Director, Julie Zender, at julie@youthgardenproject.org. Application is open until filled.
If you have a farm to fork-related position you’d like to fill, send us the job posting so we can share it here.
Funding Opportunities
USDA Farm to School Grants
The Farm to School Grant Program Request for Applications (RFA) is now open. Grants are available for both planning and implementing large farm to school projects, and range from $20,000 to $100,000. The application deadline is December 13, 2019. Learn more about the grant program and find the link to the application here.
Food System Vision Prize The Food System Vision Prize is an invitation to develop inspirational, concrete visions for the food system of the future. The Prize seeks systems-focused proposals that encourage people worldwide to take action and think collaboratively about the future. Submitted Visions should also reflect the Prize’s core beliefs that include diversity, resilience, equity, and the power of food to connect people. The Prize has an early deadline of December 5, 2019 and a final deadline of January 31, 2020. Learn more here.
2020 Youth Gardening Grant Any nonprofit organization, public or private school, or youth program in the United States or US Territories planning a new garden program or expanding an established one that serves at least 15 youth between the ages of 3 and 18 is eligible to apply. The application deadline is December 16, 2019. Learn more and apply here.