What is Farm to School?
Farm to school enriches the connection communities have with fresh, healthy food and local food producers by changing food purchasing and education practices at schools and early care and education sites.
Students gain access to healthy, local foods as well as education opportunities such as school gardens, cooking lessons and farm field trips. Farm to school empowers children and their families to make informed food choices while strengthening the local economy and contributing to vibrant communities.
Students gain access to healthy, local foods as well as education opportunities such as school gardens, cooking lessons and farm field trips. Farm to school empowers children and their families to make informed food choices while strengthening the local economy and contributing to vibrant communities.
Farm to school implementation differs by location but always includes one or more of the following:
- Procurement: Local foods are purchased, promoted and served in the cafeteria or as a snack or taste-test;
- School gardens: Students engage in hands-on learning through gardening; and
- Education: Students participate in education activities related to agriculture, food, health or nutrition. (from National Farm to School Network)
- How Can I Find Local Farms?
- How Can I Purchase?
- Farmers markets
- Farm stands
- Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) - Find a local farm to learn more.
Benefits of Farm to School
Farm to school efforts provide schools and students access to nutritious, high quality, local food helping them to learn and grow. These activities enhance classroom education through sensory learning related to health, agriculture and nutrition. Implementation of farm to school programming increases fruit and vegetable consumption among students and minimizes diet-related diseases such diabetes.
Farmers and communities also win with increased financial opportunity, economic stability and increased community engagement. It is a win-win-win! (National Farm to School Network)
Farmers and communities also win with increased financial opportunity, economic stability and increased community engagement. It is a win-win-win! (National Farm to School Network)
Harvest of the Month Program
Each year, local foods are selected to be featured as Harvest of the Month. These foods are often brought into the local schools to be tasted, placed on a school menu or featured in a nutrition education lesson. Any community partner can participate! Look for these foods where you shop or connect to producers below to buy local and support these important efforts!
What's happening in Juneau County?
- The School District of Mauston participates in farm to school programming with nutrition education lessons in some 4th grade classes at Grayside Elementary, field trips to local food producers and has a school garden on the property.
- The Necedah Area School District participates in farm to school programming with nutrition education lessons in 3rd grade and the N-Vision 3rd-5th Charter school as well as the After School Program. Classrooms are engaged in the Cardinal Retreat and Garden as well – in 2019, classes have planted, harvested and eaten their own produce from their school garden!
- The New Lisbon School District participates in farm to school programming with nutrition education lessons in 3rd through 5th grade classrooms, local food taste tests in the cafeteria, and field trips to local food producers and orchards.
- The Royall School District participates in farm to school programming with nutrition education lessons in 4th and 5th grades, local food taste tests in the cafeteria, and grows produce in both an outdoor garden and indoor hydroponic system that has provided food for the cafeteria!
- The Wonewoc – Union Center School District participates in farm to school programming with nutrition education lessons in 3rd through 5th grades, field trips to local food producers, and local food taste tests in the cafeteria.
Join us!
Juneau County Farm to School Coalition
The Juneau County Farm to School Coalition was formed in 2018 with a vision to foster a culture that celebrates healthy, local food choices to promote healthy minds and bodies through education, community partnerships, and role-modeling.
Next meeting – March 2020
Want to learn more? Join?
Contact Farm to School Specialist Erin Lenninger at farm2school@co.juneau.wi.us or 608-847-9277
Follow us on Facebook to see what the Coalition is working on!
The Juneau County Farm to School Coalition was formed in 2018 with a vision to foster a culture that celebrates healthy, local food choices to promote healthy minds and bodies through education, community partnerships, and role-modeling.
Next meeting – March 2020
Want to learn more? Join?
Contact Farm to School Specialist Erin Lenninger at farm2school@co.juneau.wi.us or 608-847-9277
Follow us on Facebook to see what the Coalition is working on!
Resource List
There are many ways to learn more and grow. Check out these links to understand the farm to school and local food movements and how they fit into our community.
Spend Smart. Eat Smart. – a resource for making healthy but affordable meals
Farm to School Network - a nationwide resource and advocate for farm to school programming
Food Corps - connects kids to healthy food in school
Farm Aid - supporting family farms for the past 34 years
UW Extension – Our local Extension office works to bring education and opportunities to our community, young and old!
Wisconsin School Garden Network - improving children’s health and well-being through garden-based education
Wisconsin Farm to School Success Stories
The Farm to School Census – a new survey was conducted in fall of 2019…Stay tuned for the newer results!
Spend Smart. Eat Smart. – a resource for making healthy but affordable meals
Farm to School Network - a nationwide resource and advocate for farm to school programming
Food Corps - connects kids to healthy food in school
Farm Aid - supporting family farms for the past 34 years
UW Extension – Our local Extension office works to bring education and opportunities to our community, young and old!
Wisconsin School Garden Network - improving children’s health and well-being through garden-based education
Wisconsin Farm to School Success Stories
The Farm to School Census – a new survey was conducted in fall of 2019…Stay tuned for the newer results!
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