Hello Farm to Fork Friends!
Did you participate in Squash Summer Hunger this year? There’s still time to enter our social media contest! Use the hashtag #SquashSummerHunger in a post about your event and be sure to tag us (@UtahFarm2Fork on Facebook and @UTfarm2fork on Instagram). The post with the most likes by July 12th will win a prize. Haven’t had a chance to hold your event yet? We’ll be keeping the registration open all summer if you’d still like to participate.
What to Harvest this Month
Green beans and summer squash are great choices this month at the farmer’s market, while some parts of the state have peaches and nectarines ready to enjoy. Check out our Peachy Sheet Pan Pancakes for a delicious and nutritious breakfast that feeds a crowd!
Get Involved!
Are you Familiar with the Farm Bill?
The Farm Bill, a federal package of legislation that's renewed (or "reauthorized") about once every five years covers a range of programs affecting farming and food. The Farm Bill represents a significant budget and, in many ways, forms the context for farm to school work. As a huge policy package, it can be hard to understand. Slow Food USA put together a great simple explainer here, which is the perfect place to get started. Once you’ve wrapped your head around that, take a look at the policy priorities identified by the National Farm to School Network and think about how this ties in to your own farm to fork work. Becoming familiar with these policy issues now will make it easier to communicate priorities with your legislators when the time comes.
Volunteer with The Green Urban Lunch Box
The Green Urban Lunch Box has volunteer events in Salt Lake County throughout the summer. Learn how to farm and take home some fresh produce. Find current volunteer opportunities here.
Webinars and Trainings
Virtual Summer Training with the Edible School Yard
ESY’s Summer Training features interactive workshops throughout the month of July, all with a focus on boosting student engagement in gardening and cooking classes. This series is designed to serve educators and program leaders who are seeking to provide joyful and engaging learning experiences in gardening and cooking classes. All workshops are open to the general public and are offered at no cost. The series kicks off Monday, July 10th. Learn more and register here.
Food Justice
The Concept of Belonging in Food Systems Work
Belonging—being fundamentally seen and respected—provides a sense of safety, power, and welcome. This is in contrast to other, a processing which denies certain people recognition of their humanity. We invite you to watch these three short videos from the Othering and Belonging Institute, and consider how these concepts play out in our farm to fork work. Who currently belongs? Who does not? How can we shift power to ensure that everyone has a place in the good food movement?
Job Opportunities
Director of Individual and Corporate Giving, Wasatch Community Gardens, Salt Lake City
This position is responsible for the development of cultivation and stewardship strategies in support of WCG’s annual and other fundraising campaigns, major and recurring gift programs, planned giving group (the Golden Tomato Society), donor relations, sponsorship programs, corporate support, and cause marketing partnerships. This is a full-time position (40 hours per week) and requires some evenings and weekends. Compensation will be commensurate with qualifications and experience with a hiring range of $60,000- $65,000, and a salary growth range of $60,000-$80,000. Benefits include health insurance, Simple IRA, HSA, paid holidays, sick and vacation leave, and access to garden produce. The application closes July 24, 2023. Learn more here.
Dairy Farm Hand, Redmond Heritage Farms, Redmond
Redmond Heritage Farm is looking to hire a full time Farm Hand at $16 per hour plus benefits. Hours include some nights, weekends, and holidays. Job duties include milking cows, bottling milk, gathering and washing eggs, using a variety of farm equipment, and general farm maintenance. Dairy experience preferred but not necessary. Learn more and apply here.
Funding Opportunities
LeRay McAllister Working Farm and Ranch Fund
The LeRay McAllister Working Farm and Ranch Fund provides grants to preserve or restore critical open land or agricultural land in Utah. Eligible applicants are counties, cities, towns, the Utah Department of Natural Resources, other Utah Agencies, Land Trusts, and charitable organizations that qualify as tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Applications will be accepted starting June 1, 2023. Learn more and apply here.
Local Meat Capacity Grants
AMS is accepting applications for the fiscal year 2023 Local Meat Capacity Grants (Local MCap). This program supports independently owned meat and poultry processing businesses with funds to provide more and better processing options for local livestock producers by modernizing, increasing, diversifying and decentralizing meat and poultry processing capacity, including support for rendering.
Processing Expansion Projects will fund grants from $100,000 up to $5 million to increase the processing and/or rendering capacity of privately, cooperatively, non-profit, or Tribally held processing facilities as described in this RFA.
Simplified Equipment-Only Projects offer a simplified application to fund smaller grants between $10,000 and $250,000 for equipment purchases for meat and poultry processors. Applications are due July 19, 2023. Learn more here.
Bee Grants
Are you interested in hosting bees at your school? The Bee Grant program through Whole Kids Foundation allows for K-12 schools or non-profit organizations that serve any grades K-12 to start a new or enhance an existing bee program hosting live bees on their campus. The application opens September 1st, so now is a perfect time to start planning. Learn more here.
Be sure to share your upcoming events, grant opportunities, and jobs with us so that we can share them here!
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