Hello Farm to Fork Friends,
The Utah Legislature wraps up their general session this month—which means it’s time to take a deep breath, relax, and then start thinking about next year. We took a break from farm to fork legislative asks this year, but it was just a break, and we plan to be back next year. As look forward to 2022, we want to know what would help you expand or succeed in your farm to fork work. You can email us at contact@utfarmtofork.org or find us on social media @utfarm2fork.
What to Harvest This Month
Where’s the beef? Right here in Utah! Late winter is a great time to shift your local focus from produce to center-of-the-plate items, like local beef. Did you know the way cows are fed impacts the nutritional composition of their beef? Grass-fed beef contains higher levels of Omega-3 fatty acids and CLAs, both of which are linked to a variety of health benefits. Remember, you can find a list of Utah ranchers interested in selling to child nutrition programs at www.utfarmtofork.org.
Get Involved
Help Us Gather Data for a Grant Opportunity USBE CNP is applying for a grant to create some exciting new resources (and provide extra funding to you!). If you are involved in food purchasing for any Child Nutrition Program, help us gather the necessary data by taking this super short survey before March 15, 2021.
Webinars and Trainings
AgroEcro Conference 2021 Come join urban farmers, food and farming justice advocates, policy makers, educators, community organizers, and engaged citizens to share strategies for strengthening our urban food and farming systems. This online event is being held over a two-week period, from March 2-11, with one or two two-hour sessions each day. You can attend any or all of the sessions for free! View the full schedule here, and register here.
Improving Equity
Equity in School Gardens Is your school garden accessible to everyone in the school community, both in terms of physical layout and content? Planning for the growing season is also a great time to assess how equitable your garden is and make changes if necessary. We have an Equity & Accessibility Checklist on the Gardens section of our website—check it out and see how you measure up.
Job Opportunities
Line Cook, Server (multiple positions), Woodland Biscuit Company, Kamas Woodland Biscuit Company serves local grass-fed beef, dairy, eggs, and of course delicious biscuits made from local flour at the food of the beautiful Uinta mountains. We are searching high and low for people interested in becoming part of our long-term kitchen and dining room team. We need two to three line cooks, but would love more, and two to three servers as well (must be 21). Please contact Laurel at laurel@woodlandbiscuit.com. Back Farms Garden Leader, Green Urban Lunch Box, Salt Lake City Back-Farms connects the community with senior citizens who donate their yard space to grow produce in. This produce is shared between the Garden Apprentices, participating seniors, and Free Market Stands held at Salt Lake County Senior Centers. Garden Leaders are responsible for properly building, tending, and harvesting gardens they are assigned to for the entire growing season, and training Garden Apprentices using established curriculum. This is a 30-35 hour/week position that pays $13-$14 per hour. Please email Jess at backfarms@gulb.org a resume and cover letter to express your interest in this position. Learn more 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
Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP) provides funds to support education, mentoring, and technical assistance initiatives for beginning farmers and ranchers. Grantees may receive between $50,000-$600,000 over a three-year period. The application deadline is March 25, 2021. Learn more and apply here. Whole Kids Foundation Garden Grants The Whole Kids Foundation Garden Grant program provides a $3,000 monetary grant to support a new or existing edible educational garden located at either a K–12 School or a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that serves children in the K-12 grade range. The application deadline is March 31, 2021. Learn more and apply here. 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!