Hello Farm to Fork Friends,
Have you heard about the National Farm to School Act? Sponsored by Reps. Stacey Plaskett (D-VI), Representative Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) and Representative Alma Adams (D-NC), HR 1768 proposes expanding funding for the USDA Farm to School Grant Program to a minimum of $15 million dollars annually. The Farm to School Act also fully includes early care and summer sites in the grant program, prioritizes grant proposals that engage beginning, veteran and socially disadvantaged farmers and serve high-need schools, and increases access among Native and tribal schools to farm-fresh and traditional foods, especially from tribal producers. Stay tuned for more information.
What to Harvest This Month
It’s time for spring greens! Farms in the Southern part of the state are already harvesting spicy arugula, sweet tender pea shoots, and all kinds of crunchy lettuces. If you’re in Northern Utah and don’t want to wait to fill your salad bowl, you’re also in luck—there are quite a few hydroponic farms that grow fresh greens all winter long. Check out Snuck Farms, Ewell Acres, or 3 Squares Produce to get your fresh fix.
Get Involved
Support the Strengthening Local Processing Act
Lack of processing infrastructure is a major concern for small livestock farmers across the country, and Utah is no exception. It’s also one of the main barriers when it comes to bringing Utah meat into schools. The Strengthening Local Processing Act will support increased slaughter and processing capacity, enhance opportunities for local producers, help small slaughterhouses and butchers grow their businesses, and provide consumers with the locally-raised meat and poultry they are asking for. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation needs your voice—call your Congressional Representative, as well as Senators Lee and Romney, and ask them to support the Strengthening Local Processing Act today.
Webinars and Trainings
Strengthening Equity and Inclusivity in Garden Education, April 7, 12:00 PM-1:15 PM
In this webinar, the School Garden Support Organization Network will be sharing a compilation of resources intended to help school garden staff, leadership, and board members explore potential ways to intertwine equity, inclusivity, diversity, and justice into all aspects of their organization and work. Learn more and register here.
Improving Equity
Raising Kale Podcast: How School Lunch Creates Racial Justice
In this episode of the Food Literacy Center’s Raising Kale podcast, Krystal Oriadha from the National Farm to School Network discusses the connections between food, social justice, and school lunch. Listen and find more resources here.
Supporting Asian American Communities
Does your food justice vision include Asian Americans? Asian Americans are the fastest growing racial group in the U.S., and they are also the most divided in terms of economic stability and educational attainment. This divide often means that conversations about racial and food justice focus on Black, Latinx, and Indigenous populations, to the exclusion of Asian Americans and other marginalized groups. To be effective, social justice and anti-hunger work needs to be receptive to the unique needs and strengths of different communities. Now is the time to re-examine any projects you are working on and ensure that Asian Americans are actively included.
Job Opportunities
Youth Programs Instructor, Youth Garden Project, Moab
Youth Garden Project is looking for May-November interns. Interns will facilitate our nine-week Summer Camp, lead two After-School Clubs, teach 90-minute Garden Classroom Field Trips, and provide a Fall Break Camp. This internship includes a $500/month, free furnished housing, and a weekly CSA share. Learn more and apply here.
If you are hiring on either the farm or fork side of farm to fork, let us know and we’ll share the job posting here!
Funding Opportunities
McCarthey Dressman Academic Enrichment Grants
The McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation offers Academic Enrichment Grants designed to develop in-class and extra-curricular programs that improve student learning. The Foundation considers proposals that foster understanding, deepen students’ knowledge, and provide opportunities to expand awareness of the world around them. Grantees may receive up to $30,000 over three years. Applications are due April 15, 2021, but don’t wait to apply—the system will close once 200 applications have been submitted. Learn more and apply here.
Specialty Crop Block Grants
The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) is now accepting applications. The grant is open to producers, schools, trade associations, non-profits, farmers markets, farming and ranching co-ops, etc. headquartered in Utah. Potential projects may include a broad range of focus such as improving marketing, research, training, certifications, food safety, pest control, plant health and beyond for specialty crops. Candidates must demonstrate the ability to enhance the competitiveness of Utah grown specialty crops and benefit more than one producer or organization. Applications are due April 27, 2021. Learn more and apply here.
Community Food Projects Grant Program
The USDA NIFA Community Food Projects Competitive Grant Program RFA is now open. Awards of up to $400,000 are available for projects designed to increase food security in communities by bringing the whole food system together to assess strengths, establish linkages, and create sustainable systems that improve the self-reliance of community members over their food needs. Applications must be submitted through grants.gov no later than May 4, 2021.
You'll hear from us again next month. In the meantime, we'd love to hear from you!
Yorumlar