Spring 2016 Highlights
Vermont Farm to School Conference: Nov. 2-3, 2016
Submit a Workshop Proposal!

Let's get together! The Vermont Farm to School Conference: "Farm to School, Grow the Movement" will be held this fall at the Lake Morey Inn in Fairlee. This exciting state-wide event will connect leaders for education, networking and inspiration.  
What's Happening

Vermont is hitting the national stage! VT FEED staff members are leading sessions at the 8th Farm to Cafeteria Conference, with several other Vermonters. They'll showcase Vermont's leading work on network development, professional learning, values-based purchasing and more. Check out the workshop descriptions and join us in Madison June 2-4!

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2013 FTS Institute participants

We're thrilled to announce the acceptance of thirteen school teams for the 2016-2017 Northeast Farm to School Institute! We look forward to welcoming them to Shelburne Farms in June to kickoff their year of professional development training to build robust Farm to School programs around the Northeast. 

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They chopped, they sautéed, and they certainly sizzled. On March 19, more than 240 competitors and 1,600 spectators came out for the culinary event of the year: the Jr Iron Chef VT competition . Check out 10 great highlights of the program, from celebrity judges to sideshow smoothies.

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FTS Awareness Day: Model for Advocacy

Dozens of teachers and students, farmers and policy makers crowded the State House in January to support Farm to School. From legislative testimony to taste tests, the group sent a strong message about why Farm to School is so important, and VT FEED's Betsy Rosenbluth was recognized for demonstrating best practices in advocacy.

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Vid Watch: Vermont Farm to School Success Stories 

The Vermont Farm to School Network is working hard to complete action projects that advance Farm to School statewide. Among them: documenting stories that show how much value FTS has for our kids and communities. Check out these inspiring tales!

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F2PVT  FEED Launching Farm to Preschool Initiative in Addison County 

Our littlest kids need Farm to School love too! VT FEED is launching a Farm to Preschool pilot project this spring, thanks to a Vermont Community Foundation Innovations & Collaborations grant. With a host of partners, we're excited to explore how we can bring FTS curriculum and projects into preschools and children's centers soon.

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National Farm to School Legislation Advances

In January, the Senate Agriculture Committee advanced bipartisan legislation authored by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt) to double funding for the federal Farm to School Grant program and more.

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Professional Development
New Course: A Dairy for Every Classroom

How can you moooove your classroom curriculum to emphasize dairy agriculture and its critical role for healthy people, landscapes and communities? This unique residential professional development course will help teachers develop a great curriculum or project! Registration is open; course starts July 12-14 at Vermont Technical College.
Culinary Workshops Benefit Cafeterias and Future Chefs

Teachers need professional development, and so do child nutrition professionals. That's why we partner on the "Now We're Cooking!" workshops, offering hands-on training in healthy cooking to Vermont's food service workers. These innovative workshops are also an essential service learning opportunity for New England Culinary Institute students, who plan, design and teach the sessions. 

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Farm to School Courses Take to the Road

This spring, VT FEED partnered with regional organizations to offer Farm to School professional development courses around VT and NH. We're helping to boost capacity and engage more schools. Want to partner with us to bring an FTS course to your area?
Taste of the Season
Recipe Sesame Noodles with Chicken and Vegetables

Now that it's veggie season again, this versatile dish is perfect for featuring peas, green onions and other spring favorites. Toss in whatever you have growing and you'll soon have a crowd favorite for kids and adults alike. Get this recipe and more from our cookbook, New School Cuisine, online.
From our Parent Organizations
"Crop Cash" Helps Vermonters Double Money at Farmers' Markets

Over 83,000 Vermonters receive 3SquaresVT benefits to buy more food for their families. Thanks to NOFA-VT and partners, those who use their 3SquaresVT benefits at a farmers' market can double their money with Crop Cash, which can be used to buy fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs from local farmers. Win for farmers, win for consumers.
Sugaring in a Changing Climate

This wacky winter took its toll on our ski season - but what does a changing climate mean for sugaring, agriculture, and our landscape? Shelburne Farms is helping students explore that question through new place-based education programs.
Upcoming Events
Join VT FEED and the Vermont Farm to School Network for an event soon! Get the full details and post your own on vermontfarmtoschool.org.
This newsletter is made possible in part by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont, a sustaining supporter of VT FEED.

Vermont FEED | www.vtfeed.org

Increasing access to fresh, healthy food for all children through education and outreach in schools and communities. 
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