Idaho Partners
The Idaho Farm to School program is a joint effort of the Idaho Preferred Program of the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, University of Idaho Extension, the Idaho State Department of Education Child Nutrition Program with support and active participation from Idaho Agriculture in the Classroom, numerous non-profit organizations and many local school districts and agricultural producers and processors. Each of these partners brings a unique component to the Farm to School program. University of Idaho Extension is home to Idaho 4-H, the Extension Master Gardener Program, Junior Master Gardener and numerous other health, nutrition, horticulture, agriculture, food safety and youth development needs-based educational efforts. Idaho Preferred is a highly successful program through the Idaho State Department of Agriculture that promotes Idaho food and agriculture products and schools present a great opportunity for farmers, ranchers and food producers to market their products. Idaho Preferred and University of Idaho Extension, in cooperation with the Idaho State Department of Education, create unique workshops and training opportunities for food producers to help them understand and better serve the school foodservice industry. In addition, Idaho Preferred assists school foodservice directors and staff in sourcing local products and building marketing programs within their schools and cafeterias to bring attention to the local products being served. University of Idaho Extension trains teachers, volunteers and childcare providers in school garden implementation, and has recruited and certified Idaho Master Gardener School Garden Mentor volunteers to serve schools receiving garden start-up grants through the Idaho State Department of Education and private funders. Many quality resources have been developed through these partnerships and are available on respective partner websites.