Happy New Year Farm to Fork Friends,
We’re partaking in the farmer’s traditional January hobby of excitedly poring over seed catalogs, but we’ve got other exciting developments to look forward to as well. Starting this month, we’ll be taking a deep dive into strategic planning, so that we can be aligned in our goals as the farm to fork movement in Utah grows (find out more in the Get Involved section). We’re also excited about a Farm to Fork bill this legislative session. Do you have any local food news or goals for 2022? Share them with us @utfarm2fork.
What to Harvest This Month
Did you make a resolution to eat more cheese? (It’s the best kind of resolution). January is a great time to celebrate Utah dairy. Try a new-to-you cheese from Beehive Cheese, Heber Valley Artisan Cheese, Drake Family Farms, Rockhill Creamery, Gold Creek Farms, or one of our many other local cheesemongers. Animal products not your thing? Not only are dry beans chock full of protein, they’ve also got lots of fiber and key micronutrients. And they last all winter long!
Get Involved!
Share Your Vision
As the first step in developing a statewide strategic farm to fork plan, we're holding an interactive online visioning session. And we want your input! Please come share your vision and ideas for the next five years of farm to fork in Utah. The visioning session will take place on Wednesday, January 12, from 9-11 am. Click here to join.
Become a Utah Green School!
Does your school engage in sustainability efforts or integrate environmental education? If so, you are likely eligible to be recognized as a Utah Green School! UGS recognizes and inspires 21st-century sustainable practices in Utah schools, including environmental literacy, health and wellness, and building facilities. Many farm to fork activities, like agriculture education, school gardens, and composting, are also sustainability efforts, and you deserve to be recognized for them. Learn more and apply here. The application deadline is March 1, 2022.
Improving Equity An Introduction to Food Justice
Check out this Food Justice Curriculum from our long-distance friends at GrowNYC. The series of eight lessons covers topics like food access, cultural relevance, food landscapes, food advocacy, and health impacts. Wow! The curriculum was designed with New York City high school students in mind, but it’s absolutely relevant to Utah.
Job Opportunities New Roots Farm Coordinator, International Rescue Committee, Salt Lake City
This position is directly responsible for management of New Roots farm sites and will coordinate farmer-participant activities and participation pertaining to all retail markets and outlets, including farmers markets, schools, grocers, restaurants, and a robust Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. The New Roots Farm Coordinator will oversee farmer technical assistance and training on organic and sustainable agricultural production, small scale production techniques, and agricultural production methods adapted for the semi-arid environment of northern Utah. Learn more and apply here.
Program Fellow, National Farm to School Network, Remote
NFSN is hiring a program fellow to support multiple aspects of NFSN’s programmatic initiatives aimed at equitably advancing the farm to school movement, with a focus on farm to early care and education (ECE) settings and farm to school/ECE evaluation. This is a fully remote, twelve-month, temporary position. The full position description is available here. To apply for this position, please submit a resume, cover letter describing your interest in and experience related to the position, and a writing sample to lacy@farmtoschool.org. Be sure to include “Program Fellow” in the subject line. Applications will be accepted until January 28, 2022.
Policy Intern, National Farm to School Network, Remote
The Policy Intern will assist the Policy Director to promote policies that advance NFSN’s Call to Action and engage our Partner organizations through policy research and analysis, development of policy resources for use by Partner organizations, and coordination of educational opportunities for Partner organizations. This is a fully remote, part-time, temporary position through May 2022. The full position description is available here. To apply, please submit a resume, 1-page cover letter detailing how your interest and experience fits the requirements, and 2 writing samples to Karen Spangler, Policy Director, at karen@farmtoschool.org. Be sure to include “Policy Intern” in the subject line. Writing samples should ideally showcase a short format of 1-2 pages each. Please submit all materials in PDF form.
Funding Opportunities
Harvest of the Season Microgrants
Harvest of the Season Microgrants are here! Supported by a Specialty Crop Block Grant, these microgrants are intended to remove financial barriers to participating in Harvest of the Season. There are two different microgrants available, and schools, childcare centers, and non-profit organizations that work with children are all welcome to apply. Applications for both grants will be reviewed and awarded on a rolling basis. Successful applicants will have up to one year to spend the money after awards are made.
Garden Support Grant
Up to 10 garden grants will be awarded. The grant includes an AeroGarden hydroponic unit, 16 seed packets, a printed garden guide, and $1000 to cover costs directly associated with starting and maintaining a garden. Apply for the garden grant here.
Local Food Taste Test Grant
Up to 20 grants of $500 each will be awarded. Grant funds may be used to purchase Harvest of the Season items from a Utah farmer or rancher, supplies and equipment for conducting the taste test (including but not limited to napkins, handwipes, portion cups, plates/bowls, hot plates, knives, cutting boards), and cover staff time for procuring and preparing food and holding the taste test. Apply for the taste test grant here.
USDA Farm to School Grants
The USDA expects to award approximately $12 million in Farm to School Grants this year. The RFA includes three tracks: Turnkey, Implementation, and State Agency, with awards ranging from $50,000 to $500,000. Eligible schools, State and local agencies, Indian tribal organizations, small- to medium-sized agricultural producers or groups of small- to medium-sized agricultural producers, non-profit organizations, and institutions operating the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) at non-school based sites are all eligible to apply! The application deadline is January 10, 2022. Learn more here and then apply on grants.gov.
Be sure to share your upcoming events, grant opportunities, and jobs with us so that we can share them here!
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