Use the search critera to narrow your search results or scroll through our entire library, located below. Checking boxes in multiple search categories will narrow your results; checking multiple boxes in the same category will expand your results. The date listed on a resource indicates when it was published if that date is known; otherwise the date indicates when the resource was added.

Resources

Leveraging Local Food Incentive Policy to Benefit Children and Producers: Lessons from the D.C. Healthy Tots Act

National Farm to School Network and Research Triangle Institute International
 | 
August 18, 2021

This report and fact sheet examine how the Washington, D.C. Healthy Tots Act (HTA) and the Local5 component influence ECE site local food purchasing practices and impact local food intermediaries and local producers, with a focus on HTA impacts on low-income children and children of color as well as BIPOC producers.

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State Farm to School Policy Handbook

National Farm to School Network and Center for Agriculture and Food Systems
 | 
July 23, 2021

The State Farm to School Policy Handbook: 2002-2020 summarizes and analyzes farm to school bills and resolutions introduced between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2020, from the 50 states, DC, and the U.S. territories. It also includes analysis of state legislative trends, summaries of proposed bills, case studies, and additional resources for advocates.

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Lessons from the COVID-19 Experience: Innovations and Strategies for Farm to Early Care and Education Implementation in States and Communities

National Farm to School Network, Policy Equity Group
 | 
July 15, 2021

The Policy Equity Group and the National Farm to School Network, with support from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, are pleased to jointly release this brief that captures how farm to early care and education (ECE) efforts at the state and community levels were initially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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USDA Local Food Directories

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
 | 
January 13, 2021

Search your area by zip code and distance for farmers markets, on-farm markets, CSA's and food hubs. Information on locations, products available, payments accepted, winter markets, etc. available.

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What's In Season? NC Produce Availability Chart

NC Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services
 | 
January 13, 2021

Collards year-round; green peas mostly in May?! Use this guide to plan menus and purchase produce that is in season in NC. Buying produce in season is fresher, tastier and often times less expensive. This is especially helpful for knowing when seasonal, cycle menus may need to change.

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NC Seasonal CACFP Cycle Menus

NC CACFP -- Nutrition Services Branch, Division of Public Health, NC Department of Health and Human Services
 | 
January 13, 2021

Seasonal menus (meeting CACFP and NC DCDEE requirements) featuring NC produce. The menus include breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks with links to standardized recipes. A blank template is also available to customize the menus to your facility.

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Growing Edibles in Containers

Natural Learning Initiative (NLI) -- NC State University
 | 
January 13, 2021

Never grown an edible garden but would like to start by growing some edibles in containers? This resource provides suggestions for how to get started.

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Local Foods: Child Care Center Fruit & Vegetable Gardening Series

Natural Learning Initiative (NLI) in collaboration with the Center for Environmental Farming Systems (CEFS) and NC Cooperative Extension
 | 
January 13, 2021

This series has 8 publications all related to building the best garden for your childcare center. The publications include details on creating a childcare garden, growing and preparing fruits and vegetables in both warm and cool seasons, snacking and cooking techniques and composting techniques

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Starting Seeds in the Spring

Natural Learning Initiative (NLI) -- NC State University
 | 
January 13, 2021

When should I start seeds indoors so they are ready to transplant outdoors in the spring? This resource gives specific answers to this question for several types of plants.

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Children's Literature by Growing Minds

Growing Minds Program -- Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Program (ASAP)
 | 
January 13, 2021

Welcome to our Farm to School bookshelf! Search the ever-growing database to find our recommendations, which are perfect for teaching about gardening, cooking, farms, or food. Use our list to find literature for the classroom, home, or even to start your own Farm to School book collection.

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Preschool lesson plans by Growing Minds

Growing Minds Program -- Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Program (ASAP)
 | 
January 13, 2021

Exploring local food and farms with your young learners doesn't have to be challenging! These preschool lesson plans are an easy way to build connections between the outdoor environment and the classroom while introducing children to new fruits and vegetables.

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MyPlate, MyState

Choose my Plate, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
 | 
January 13, 2021

Shows MyPlate food group items available in North Carolina (or any state).

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Reach for the Stars with Farm to Preschool

North Carolina Farm to Preschool Network
 | 
November 12, 2020

This resource helps child care centers and family child care homes integrate farm to ECE activities into their curriculum while addressing the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS).

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Pint Size Produce - Easy to Use Activities for Early Childhood

Renewing the Countryside
 | 
November 8, 2020

Pint Size Produce features produce and products grown in the midwest. Each activity suite includes an activity plan, a parent handout, and a half page flier highlighting key information. They are available in PDF as well as PowerPoint formats so providers and others can modify to meet their needs.

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Vision and Key Strategies to Advance Farm to Early Care and Education

National Farm to School Network���s Farm to Early Care and Education Working Group
 | 
September 11, 2020

The purpose of this document is to share the vision for long-term impacts of farm to ECE, offer a comprehensive list of key strategies to advance towards that vision, and to elevate examples and resources that demonstrate these key strategies in action.

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Nurture Young Children's Health and Curiosity During COVID-19

The University of Tennessee���s Maternal & Child Health Nutrition Leadership Trainee program, Association of State Public Health Nutritionists, National Farm to School Network
 | 
August 28, 2020

This resource and accompanying website offer reasons why farm to ECE can be helpful during the challenges and uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic and provides tips for putting farm to ECE into action.

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The Significance of Farm to Early Care and Education in the Context of COVID-19

National Farm to School Network and Association of State Public Health Nutritionists
 | 
June 16, 2020

This resource lists reasons why farm to ECE is even more relevant during a pandemic and a post-pandemic world in supporting providers in meeting the needs of children and families. This information can provide talking points and help you connect to interested providers, families, communities, and stakeholders to help build or rebuild farm to ECE initiatives and activities.

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Local Food in COVID-19 Response and Recovery

National Farm to School Network
 | 
June 16, 2020

This fact sheet outlines some of the promising practices that school nutrition providers, early care and education centers, community partners, and state agencies have seen during COVID-19 while supporting local farmers and producers in accessing markets, and helping families in accessing healthy food.

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Benefits of Farm to School

National Farm to School Network
 | 
May 19, 2020

Farm to school programs provide a variety of benefits to students, parents, schools, communities and farmers. This fact sheet offers a research-based overview of the benefits of farm to school and a list of sources.

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Farm to Early Care and Education: Toward a Shared Language

Michigan Farm to ECE Network
 | 
May 12, 2020

Farm to early care and education (ECE) happens where early care and education and food systems meet. Although we are often working towards the same goals, it can be difficult for food systems and early care and education to communicate because there is not a shared language. This resource from Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems aims to begin a conversation between early care and education providers and food systems practitioners to work towards developing a shared language and fuller understanding of the common purpose we are working towards.

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Exploring Hydroponics: A Classroom Lesson Guide

National Farm to School Network, Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation, KidsGardening
 | 
May 1, 2020

Exploring Hydroponics includes basic how-to information for growing plants hydroponically in your classroom; lesson plans to help students learn through hands-on investigations; construction plans for simple hydroponic setups; and additional reference materials to support your endeavors.

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Local Policy Ask Template in Response to COVID-19

National Farm to School Network
 | 
April 29, 2020

National Farm to School Network is compiling local policy asks to create a COVID-19 Local Response Template for advocates. You can pull ideas from this template, and make changes as needed, to address the needs of your community.

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How to Create a Mutual Aid Pod

National Farm to School Network
 | 
April 28, 2020

In times of crisis, community-based relationships are vital in supporting continued healthy food access, community well being, and producer viability. Learn about starting a Mutual Aid Pod in your neighborhood with this infographic.

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NFSN's COVID-19 Federal Policy Platform

National Farm to School Network
 | 
April 21, 2020

As the federal government continues to develop legislation to address the COVID-19 pandemic, National Farm to School Network urges policymakers to respond to this emergency in ways that will advance a more just food system.

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Cultivating Social-Emotional Health with Farm to Early Care and Education

Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems
 | 
April 16, 2020

Families and children are confronting stress and uncertainty in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents, caretakers, and early care and education providers may be looking for ways to encourage play-based learning that can teach children critical skills pertaining to this crisis - especially those related to social-emotional health. This resource from Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems outlines farm to ECE activities that can be helpful for continuing to cultivate young children's emotional wellness during this time.

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Iowa Farm to School Cycle Menu

Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative, ISU Extension and Outreach, and Luther College Center for Sustainable Communities
 | 
March 12, 2020

The NE Iowa Farm to School Cycle Menu was created by school food service directors as an easy way to incorporate more Iowa-grown foods onto school lunch trays.

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Seasonal Cycle Menus from NC CACFP

NC Department of Health and Human Services
 | 
March 12, 2020

The CACFP Seasonal Menus are designed to inspire programs to use seasonal, locally grown foods when possible. The menus are four-week cycle menus with a breakfast, lunch/supper, and snack.

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Procuring Alabama Fruits and Vegetables

Alabama State Department of Education and the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries
 | 
March 12, 2020

This handbook was developed to provide child and adult nutrition programs in Alabama with instructions for the purchase of raw unprocessed agricultural products as defined by the USDA, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) in 7 CFR 210.21(g), 7 CFR 226.22(n), and related guidance.

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Webinar Archive: Institutionalizing School Garden Programming

National Farm to School Network and School Garden Support Organization Network
 | 
December 12, 2019

The webinar recording features district-run school garden program directors from a small, medium and large school district sharing their experience and expertise in launching and maintaining district run garden programs.

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Greenhouse Manual: An Introductory Guide for Educators

United States Botanic Garden, the National Association for Appropriate Technology and City Blossoms
 | 
December 1, 2019

This freely available manual was developed in response to an expressed need to help guide would-be greenhouse managers and educators as their schools explore ways to build new infrastructure or reinvest in existing greenhouse facilities.

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Regional Trends in New England Farm to Institution Procurement Policy

Farm to Institution New England & Center for Agriculture and Food Systems at Vermont Law School
 | 
August 23, 2019

All six New England states have some form of policy encouraging or requiring that institutions purchase local food products, including farm to school policies. Yet the laws differ from state to state, and in many cases, aren���t particularly effective. These are the findings outlined in this 2019 report.

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Procurement Guidance Manual

Georgia Department of Early Care and Early Learning
 | 
August 1, 2019

This manual further clarifies the procurement requirements that this State Agency requires all institutions to follow in order to comply with the Federal procurement processes and charge of program expenditures.

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Local Food for Little Eaters in Georgia

Georgia Organics and Georgia Bright from the Start
 | 
June 1, 2019

This toolkit details how Georgia early care providers can purchase and use more local foods while following Child and Adult Care Program (CACFP) regulations. The toolkit is also useful for providers not currently participating in CACFP.

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Webinar Recording: Farm to School: Cafeteria, Classroom, Community

School Nutrition Association & National Farm to School Network
 | 
May 22, 2019

Webinar Recording: This Webinar Wednesday session hosted by the School Nutrition Association offered an overview of farm to school, including why it matters and how it supports the goals of child nutrition program, promoting successes, and evaluating your activities. This webinar was recorded on May 22, 2019.

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Webinar: Farm to Early Care and Education: Resources and Best Practices for Comprehensive and Sustainable Programmatic and State Level Initiatives

National Farm to School Network and the Association of State Public Health Nutritionist
 | 
April 23, 2019

Developed to support states in the Association of State Public Health Nutritionists Farm to Early Care and Education Mini-CoIIN, this webinar provides a high level overview of resources and best practices for programmatic implementation of all three core elements of farm to early care and education. The webinar also provides guidance on successful state level strategies to promote sustained state-wide farm to early care and education initiatives.

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State of the States in Farm to School

National Farm to School Network
 | 
April 18, 2019

This fact sheet takes a look at states��� progress towards implementing three complementary strategies to advance farm to school at the state level: (1) state farm to school networks, (2) state farm to school positions, and (3) state farm to school policies.

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Racial and Social Equity Assessment Tool for Farm to School Programs and Policy

National Farm to School Network
 | 
April 16, 2019

This resource is intended to help advance National Farm to School Network���s racial and social equity priority by increasing our understanding of the work in the context of structural, institutional, and interpersonal racism. This tool is designed to be utilized by our national staff, Core and Supporting Partners, Advisory Board, and farm to school stakeholders.

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Organics in Farm to School

National Farm to School Network
 | 
April 4, 2019

Schools across the country are applying organic principles to the three core elements of farm to school - local food procurement, schools gardens, and food and agriculture education. This fact sheet shares keys to success for integrating organics in farm to school practices and highlights three case studies of school districts finding success with organic practices.

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State Farm to School Networks Toolkit

National Farm to School Network
 | 
April 1, 2019

The toolkit includes a primer on general network models and development, a deep dive into state farm to school network best practices, case studies highlighting successful tools and tactics, and an analysis on challenges for and the future of state farm to school networks.

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Webinar Series: Resource Roundup

National Farm to School Network
 | 
March 13, 2019

This quarterly NFSN webinar series provides a brief highlight of a new or innovate farm to school or farm to early care and education resource. Webinars will take place the third Wednesday of February, May, August and November from 3-4 PM ET. Registration & recordings available here.

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Arkansas Farm to School Act, House Bill 1615

State of Arkansas, 92nd General Assembly
 | 
February 26, 2019

An act to establish a farm to school and early childhood education program; to create the position of a farm to school and early childhood education program coordinator within the Arkansas Agriculture Departments; and for other purposes.

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Food Education Standards

Pilot Light
 | 
February 4, 2019

These 7 Food Education Standards provide a straightforward framework for all stakeholders to integrate food education throughout the school day.

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State Farm to School Positions Guide

National Farm to School Network
 | 
January 31, 2019

This resource includes a list of existing state farm to school positions - both in state agencies and in university Extension offices - four state case studies, an analysis of the current landscape of state farm to school positions, and sample job descriptions for some of the positions featured in the resource.

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Garden to Cafeteria Toolkit

Whole Kids Foundation
 | 
January 2, 2019

The toolkit builds off the successes and safety protocols of five school districts across the United States to provide templates and a step-by-step process to help District Food Services develop their own protocols.

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Evaluating the Economic Impacts of Farm to School Procurement

Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems and Community Development; Libby Christensen, Becca B.R. Jablonski, Lacy Stephens, Anupama Joshi
 | 
December 31, 2018

This paper presents a framework for evaluating the economic impacts of farm-to-school programs, adapting the USDA���s ���Local Food Economics Toolkit��� for this specific context. The approach combines primary and secondary data to customize an input-output model, reflecting the complex supply chains that link producers and schools.

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State Farm to School Profiles

National Farm to School Network
 | 
December 19, 2018

These State Farm to School Profiles (one for every state, DC and the U.S. territories) include a snapshot of state farm to school activities, partnerships, administrative efforts, enacted policies, and federal support for farm to school within the state.

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Farm to Keiki – Cooking, Gardening and Nutrition for Children

Tiana Kamen
 | 
November 28, 2018

Farm to Keiki is a brand new Farm to School lesson and recipe book written for Hawaii��s teachers and families. The 182 beautiful color pages make it easy to teach children healthy cooking, how to eat locally grown foods, how to grow a garden and about Hawaiis cultures and environment. The recommended age group is for children 3-9 years old.

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2018 National Farm to Early Care and Education Survey

National Farm to School Network & MSU Center for Regional Food Systems
 | 
November 13, 2018

In 2018, the National Farm to School Network and Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems surveyed early care and education providers across the country to better understand current initiatives, motivations and challenges in applying farm to school activities in early care and education settings.

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Apoyo de la Finca a la Escuela

National Farm to School Network
 | 
October 31, 2018

Esta hoja informativa ofrece ideas sobre c??mo puede involucrarse en el dise?�o y la promoci??n de pol??ticas que apoyen de la Finca a la Escuela. [Resource in Spanish]

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Compras Locales Para Los Centros de Cuidado Infantil

National Farm to School Network
 | 
October 31, 2018

Servir alimentos locales en comidas y refrigerios es gratificante, pero puede ser desafiante al principio. Aqu?? hay algunas ideas para ayudarle a que el servicio de alimentos locales sea exitoso en su centro. [Resource in Spanish]

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Compras Locales Para Los Proveedores de Cuidado Familiares

National Farm to School Network
 | 
October 31, 2018

Hay muchos tipos diferentes de actividades para proyectos de la finca a la educaci??n temprana. Una opci??n es servir alimentos locales, como frutas, verduras, prote??nas, l?�cteos y granos, en comidas y refrigerios. Aqu?? hay algunas ideas para ayudar a que el servicio de alimentos locales en su hogar sea un ?�xito. [Resource in Spanish]

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Native Farm to School Resource Guide

First Nations Development Institute
 | 
October 17, 2018

The resources is a process guide for planning Native farm-to-school programs, as well as a guide for tribal officials to engage their leadership and create buy-in for the farm-to-school process.

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National Farm to School Month Celebration Toolkit

National Farm to School Network
 | 
September 24, 2018

October is National Farm to School Month. This Celebration Toolkit includes background information, activity ideas, communications tools, and a list of resources for implementing Farm to School Month celebrations in your community.

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A Guide to Using The Creative Curriculum® to Support Farm-to-ECE Models

The Policy Equity Group
 | 
September 13, 2018

These resource, developed by The Policy Equity Group, align farm to ECE strategies with one of the most widely used ECE curricula���The Creative Curriculum��. The guides explores how teachers can use The Creative Curriculum�� for Preschool and The Creative Curriculum�� for Infants, Toddlers, & Twos as a foundation to embed farm to ECE learning opportunities into their existing practices.

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Farm to School Advocacy

National Farm to School Network
 | 
September 3, 2018

This fact sheet offers ideas for how you can get involved in informing and advocating for policy that supports farm to school.

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Summary of Northeast Iowa Farm to School Processing Pilot, 2014-2015

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
 | 
September 1, 2018

A research project conducted in 2014-15 tested the benefits of a partnership between area school districts and the Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative's (FFI) Iowa Food Hub - a non-profit food aggregator and distributor. This publication provides information on the project and discusses challenges faced and opportunities available in providing fresh, local foods to Iowa schools.

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Webinar Recording: Racial Equity in Food Systems Work: Beginning the Journey

MSU Center for Regional Food Systems
 | 
June 27, 2018

This webinar is intended to inspire Extension educators who want to make racial equity a more intentional part of their work ��� and an introduction to resources and tools to help do so. Shorlette Ammons of North Carolina���s Center for Environmental Farming Systems introduces webinar participants to tools and language used in racial equity training. This webinar gives an introduction to greater conversations and work surrounding racial equity and food access. This webinar was hosted by the eXtension working group on Undoing Inequality in the Food System which is part of the eXtension Community, Local and Regional Community of Practice, and the MSU Center for Regional Food Systems.

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Engage Families with Farm to ECE

Community Groundworks
 | 
June 27, 2018

Community Groundworks developed this fact sheet to help early care and education sites promote family engagement and partnership through farm to early care and education activities.

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WEBINAR ARCHIVE: Fundraising for Farm to School

National Farm to School Network
 | 
June 19, 2018

This webinar recording shares different opportunities and avenues to fundraise for farm to school activities at any level. Information is shared about the FarmRaiser fundraising platform, planning for the USDA Farm to School Grant Program application, and fundraising support available from the National Farm to School Network.

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