Hello Farm to Fork Friends!
We’re sending February’s letter a few days early, because there’s exciting news that just won’t keep (skip ahead to the Get Involved section if we’ve got you on the edge of your seat).
We’d like to extend a big congratulations to ten-year-old Claire Mansell from Stansbury Park. She grew the biggest cabbage in Utah last summer—over 15 pounds! As a prize, Claire received a $1,000 scholarship from Bonnie Plants (and our undying admiration). You can see a picture of Claire with her prize-winning cabbage and learn more about the Bonnie Plants cabbage program here. Don’t forget to send us your great farm to fork news or tag us on Instagram @utfarm2fork so we can share the love.
What to Harvest this Month
Storage crops, meat and dairy products, and greenhouse greens are all great options, but what we really need you to harvest this month is the sweet sweet success of legislative funding. See the next item for more information!
Get Involved!
Advocacy Opportunity: Farm to School Funding
We’ve been working hard to secure legislative funding for a program that would reimburse schools for their local food purchases. This request is scheduled to go before the Natural Resources and Agriculture Appropriations subcommittee on February 6th. The subcommittee is then scheduled to vote on funding on February 19th. This means we need your help THIS MONTH. Download our advocacy packet here; it will walk you through what to do. Our handout that explains the details of the program is available here. You can make a difference! Please contact Kate Wheeler with any questions.
Webinars and Trainings
10th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference
April 21-23, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Early bird registration for the 10th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference is now open. Save $50 off the regular registration price by signing up ASAP. This is a great conference, with 40 skill-building workshops, 10 experiential field trips, and invaluable networking opportunities. Visit farmtoschool.org/conference to learn more. Hope to see you there!
Improving Equity
What is food sovereignty and what does it look like in the United States? Food sovereignty can take on unique meanings in different communities, but it always puts questions of power, control, and social justice at the heart of food and farming. The U.S. Food Sovereignty Alliance has a series of short videos (less than two minutes) from social movements in the United States working towards a more just and sustainable food system. Watch the videos here and let us know what you think!
Job Opportunities
Youth Educator, Wasatch Community Gardens, Salt Lake City
Wasatch Community Gardens is looking for an AmeriCorps Youth Educator. Enthusiastic, veggie-loving folks who want to help teach kids about growing and eating delicious and healthy food can learn more and apply here.
Harvest VISTA, Green Urban Lunchbox, Salt Lake City
The Green Urban Lunchbox FruitShare program partners with fruit tree owners and community volunteers to harvest and distribute fruit that would otherwise go to waste. This AmeriCorps position will develop and manage outreach campaigns, volunteer recruitment programs, and oversee logistics for the volunteer harvesting program. This is a full-time, one-year position, from February 2020 to February 2021. Click here to learn more and apply.
Funding Opportunities
Check back next month for new opportunities! (And if you’d like to see funding made available to support your local purchases… you know what to do).