Hello Farm to Fork Friends,
We’re headed full speed into summer, and that means farmers markets! Use the handy list that Utah Farmers Market Network put together to find a market near you. And then show us your favorite market finds, whether that’s fresh veggies or a cute pup, on social media, @utfarm2fork.
What to Harvest This Month
Apricots will be having a hard time this year, at least up north, with the cold late spring weather we had. Snag ‘em if you see ‘em! However, snap peas and fresh greens are here for us, so it’s a great time of year to perfect your salad game.
Get Involved!
Save the Date for a Regional Strategic Planning Workshop
As part of our statewide strategic planning process, we’re coming to a community near you! We want people who are actually doing the work of farm to fork—growing food, buying and cooking food, and teaching students—to provide input on our priorities for the next five years. Registration will open later this month, but here’s where we’ll be and when. All workshops will be from 9:30 am-3:30 pm, and $100 stipends are available for attendees.
Logan, July 11th
Moab, July 20th
Vernal, July 21st
Heber City, July 26th
Richfield, August 1st
Cedar City, August 2nd
Hunger, Nutrition, and Health Public Listening Session
Planning is currently taking place for the September 2022 White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health and organizers are holding regional listening sessions to gather input. These sessions are a critical chance to share your thoughts on the urgency of shifting power in our food system and centering racial equity in discussions of anti-hunger and nutrition policy. The session for the Midwest & Mountains Region is June 3, 11 am-1 pm MDT. There will also be a Spanish-language session for all regions on June 13, 11 am-1 pm MDT. Learn more and register here.
Webinars & Trainings
Edible Schoolyard Virtual Summer Training, June 21-24, 2022
The experts at Edible Schoolyard will once again be hosting an interactive virtual exploration of fundamental practices and understandings for growing a thriving edible education program. Learn more and register here.
Funding Your Garden, June 14, 2022, 2 pm MDT
School food gardens need funding to get started and continue from year to year, and what better way to secure support than through your local community? In this webinar, a panel of garden experts will discuss ways to fundraise. From crowdfunding, to securing donations, learn what makes your program attractive to local supporters. Learn more and register here. Don’t have time for a full webinar? Check out our short handout on funding school gardens, available on the school garden resources section of our website.
Improving Equity In order to build a resilient and just food supply chain, we have to confront white supremacy. The Tops grocery store on Buffalo’s East Side existed as a result of years community advocacy and engagement. Now that store is temporarily closed in the aftermath of a racist massacre, area residents are again without a place to buy food. And even when it reopens, they will need to visit the scene of horrifying trauma in order to obtain groceries. In this conversation with Slate, Samina Raja explains how community members are dealing with food insecurity in the wake of this tragedy, and how to support and center the Black community.
Job Opportunities Director of Agriculture, Thanksgiving Point, Lehi
Thanksgiving Point Institute seeks a Director of Agriculture for our re-envisioned Farm Country Venue. Opened in 1996 on the site of the former Fox Family Dairy Farm, this interpretive working farm will be a one-of-its-kind place that involves Thanksgiving Point’s millions of visitors in a topic of universal importance and impact – the future of farming. The Director of Agriculture is part of Thanksgiving Point’s Joint Management Team. The selected candidate will be responsible for developing and maintaining best practices as well as leading the execution of the day-to-day work outlined in standard operating procedures and other managerial duties. This is a full-time position that pays $60,000-$75,000 per year. Learn more and apply here.
Funding Opportunities
NIFA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Sustainable Food Systems Grant
The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s (NIFA) Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Sustainable Agricultural Systems supports approaches that promote transformational changes in the U.S. food and agriculture system. NIFA seeks applications that take a systems approach for projects that are expected to significantly improve the supply of affordable, safe, nutritious, and accessible agricultural products while fostering economic development and rural prosperity in America. Applications are due July 28, 2022. Learn more and apply here.
Harvest of the Season Microgrants
We still have local food taste test grants available through our Harvest of the Season program! 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.
Be sure to share your upcoming events, grant opportunities, and jobs with us so that we can share them here!
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