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Farm to School and ECE Research and Evaluation Working Group
The Working Group (WG) supports the farm to school and early care and education (ECE) movement by nurturing robust research and evaluation, which are key components of advocating for funding and creating sustainable programming.
From extensive input and engagement from our partners and key interest holders, we have identified the following as our key research and evaluation priority areas as they relate to farm to school and ECE:
- Economic Impact and Community Wealth Building
- Policy, Systems, and Environmental Change Evaluation
- Education, Workforce Development, and Career Pathways
- Public Health, Nutrition, and Student Wellbeing
Currently, the WG meets every two months where a research and/or evaluation project focused around farm to school and ECE efforts are highlighted. During these meetings, members in attendance also share brief updates, point out collaborative opportunities, and address relevant needs or questions in the field.
The WG is designed to support the National Farm to School Network’s organizational priorities for 2026 and beyond, which include focusing our programming and policy initiatives on local procurement. Our immediate overarching goal is to preserve existing funding streams while identifying new opportunities that support local procurement in farm to school.
How We Got Here
- 2019: National Farm to School Network (NFSN) launched the Farm to School Research and Evaluation Working Group to connect a diverse network of leaders and stakeholders committed to advancing farm to school and ECE. The group’s primary goals were to build a strong research community, identify and pursue collaborative projects, and develop tools and resources that support and promote farm to school research priorities.
- 2019 - 2022: The WG fostered interdisciplinary collaboration, developed shared research priorities, and created key resources—such as the Farm to ECE evaluation tools and metrics. After 2022, the group shifted its focus to promoting equity within farm to school research practices.
- 2024: The WG was reactivated through a partnership with Shelburne Farms Institute for Sustainable Schools. As part of this relaunch, NFSN and Shelburne Farms established a core collaborative team to guide and support the broader WG.
Interested in learning more about the Working Group or getting added to our robust and growing listserv? Please contact NFSN Programs Director, Trisha@farmtoschool.org.
Research and Evaluation Working Group Core Collaborators
Thank you to our core collaborators for their leadership and contribution to the Working Group!
Betsy Rosenbluth
Farm to School Director
Shelburne Farms Institute for Sustainable Schools
Jessica Metcalfe, PhD, MPH
President & Principal Consultant
Green Mountain Evaluation
Eva Ringstrom
Principal
Raindrop Workshop
Meagan Shedd, PhD
Director of Evaluation
Food Insight Group
Dan Turner
Assistant Director
Swearer Center for Public Service, Brown University