September 2022

The Farm to School and Early Childhood Education Program is committed to providing equitable and just programming, resources, funding, and technical assistance to schools, farmers, and partners in the local food system. 

Hiring for Multiple Positions

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Farm to School and Early Childhood Education Program is hiring for multiple positions: 

The State School Garden Manager is a full-time position located in Little Rock, Arkansas. The State School Garden Manager will provide full-time support and technical assistance to schools, develop farm to school resources, host webinars and trainings, manage two school garden grant programs, and lead planning efforts on the first Arkansas Farm to School Institute.

The State Local Procurement Manager is a part-time grant-funded position, available for one year with potential extension based on funding. The State Local Procurement Manager will provide technical assistance to school food service departments and farmers, develop farm to school resources, host webinars and trainings, and lead the Arkansas Taste Test Grant Program and Harvest of the Season promotional program.

If you align with the preferred qualifications provided in the position postings, you are highly encouraged to apply. Positions will remain open until filled.

Harvest of the Season Fall Resources Now Available

Fall seasonal materials are now available through the Harvest of the Season promotional program developed by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture. Put these new posters into action at your school, early childhood education center, or alternative learning environment!

Farm to School Opportunities

Turnip the Beet Award Nominations

Amount: Up to $50,000

Deadline: September 16, 2022

The 2022 Turnip the Beet Award from the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service recognizes outstanding summer meal program sponsors across the nation who work hard to offer high quality meals to children that are appetizing, appealing, and nutritious during the summer months. All summer meal program sponsors in good standing, including Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sponsors and National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option (SSO) sponsors, may be eligible for a Turnip the Beet Award. Sponsors may self-nominate or be nominated by another party. The Turnip the Beet nomination form must be complete and submitted along with a detailed one-month menu. 

Racial Equity in Farm to School Webinar Series

September 20, October 25, and November 8, 2022

2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Central Time

The Farm to School Coalition of North Carolina and the Center for Environmental Farming's Farm to School Initiative are hosting a free virtual training series on Racial Equity in Farm to School. These free, 2-hour workshops will be led by a team from we are. Register for one or all sessions: 

• September 20: History and Policy
• October 25: Curriculum and School Meals
• November 8: Community Praxis Sharing in Farm to School

The CHS Foundation Classroom Grant

Amount: $500

Deadline: September 15, 2022

Annually, the CHS Foundation provides grants to pre-K through 12th grade teachers who have classroom projects that use agricultural concepts to teach reading, writing, math, science, social studies, and more. Eligible projects include classroom and schoolyard gardens, embryology projects, aquaculture projects, and agricultural literacy reading programs to name a few. State-certified classroom teachers employed by a school district or private school teachers are eligible to apply.

Get Schools Cooking Grant

Deadline: September 30, 2022

Get Schools Cooking is an intensive 3-year assessment and strategic planning program that provides schools with the operational knowledge to transition from processed foods to scratch-cooked meals. The program provides access to technical assistance, workshops, School Food Institute courses, an on-site assessment, an assessment report and strategic planning, along with peer-to-peer collaboration, and a System Assistance Grant.

Budding Botanist Grant

Amount: $1,000

Deadline: October 14, 2022

Designed to further the Klorane Botanical Foundation's mission, the Budding Botanist Grant will help students learn about plants, explore the world, and inspire them to take care of the life they discover in their local ecosystems. Twenty high-need schools will be awarded $1,000 in grant funding to support their youth garden programs. Any public, charter, or private school serving K-12 students in the United States with 40% of student population qualifying for free or reduced-price meals are eligible to apply. 

Bee Grants

Amount: Bee equipment or $1,500

Deadline: October 15, 2022

The Whole Kids Foundation and the Bee Cause Project have partnered to provide bee grants to allow for schools and non-profit organizations to receive support for educational beehives and bee programming so students can observe bees up close and learn about the vital role these pollinators play in our food system. K-12 schools and non-profit organizations are eligible to apply to start a new or enhance an existing bee program hosting live bees on their campus. The Renewal Bee Grant Program is also available for previous grant recipients.