Save the Date! Farm to ECE August Institute | | |
The Michigan Farm to ECE Virtual Institute is coming your way this August 11–13, 10 AM–12 PM! This series of virtual workshops will feature interactive sessions, peer-to-peer learning and mentorship, and exciting opportunities to connect with farmers and collaborate with early childhood providers across Michigan.
The Farm to ECE Institute is structured around three core pillars:
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Procurement – Buying and serving local foods
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Gardening – Providing hands-on learning experiences
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Nutrition Agriculture Education – Integrating agricultural education into early childhood programs through food related curricula, farm and garden books, taste testing, farmer visits, sensory experiences, etc.
Registration details and a schedule of events coming soon! Contact Brooke with any questions at bbianchini@nkfm.org.
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*If you would like a sneak peek of the upcoming institute, join the Michigan Farm to ECE Network Quarterly Meeting on Thursday, June 26th from 11:30am-1:00pm. Click on the Zoom link here to attend the quarterly meeting. (Meeting ID: 680 866 3266) If you’re a farmer, food producer, or early childhood provider passionate about food, farming, or hands-on learning—this meeting is for you!
Please share this invite with others who may be interested!
| | 10 Cents a Meal Grant application now open! | | |
The Michigan Department of Education’s 2025-2026 application for 10 Cents a Meal for Michigan's Kids and Farms is now available. Any sponsor of a federal Child Nutrition Program is eligible to apply for 10 Cents a Meal!
10 Cents a Meal reimburses 50% of the cost of buying and serving Michigan-grown fruits, vegetables, and dry beans in meals and educational activities for children. Grantees can also use up to 25% of their grant award to receive 100% reimbursement for transportation and labor expenses such as delivery fees, mileage costs, and part time labor expenses that support the goals of the program. To access MDE’s virtual walkthrough of the application process and the 2025-2026 scoring rubric, please visit the How to Apply page.
Free training sessions will be offered across the state this summer. These sessions cover how 10 Cents a Meal works, how to source local produce, what is needed to participate, and hands-on application assistance. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required.
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Bay City – June 16, 2025 2-4pm ET Register
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Kalamazoo – June 23, 2025 2-4pm ET Register
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Traverse City – June 25, 2025 2-4pm ET Register
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Fruitport – June 26, 2025 9-11am ET Register
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Mason/Ingham – August 7, 2025 2-4pm ET Register
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Macomb - August 14, 2025 2-4pm ET Register
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Flint – August 18, 2025 2-4pm ET Register
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Virtual training – TBD
Need help or have questions about the 10 Cents a Meal Program? Schedule time with MDE’s Farm to Program team via Microsoft Bookings.
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Ag News You Can Use...
Last month, the House Agriculture Committee passed their portion of a sweeping budget reconciliation bill that proposes deep cuts to food and nutrition programs, including the total elimination of the USDA’s Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Grant Program—more commonly known as SNAP-Ed. Now, the Senate will be taking up its version of the Reconciliation bill.
Last week, Governor Whitmer shared what this would mean for Michigan’s communities. Read the Governor’s press release highlighting the impact of cuts to food assistance programs on Michigan’s hunger, economy, health, and future.
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What can you do? Educating about the impact these potential cuts would have in your communities can take many forms...
- Raise awareness on the importance of SNAP-Ed—it's the biggest support for nutrition interventions that improve health, and it also provides one of the most stable sources of funding for state and local governments to work on farm to school issues. Read more from the National Farm to School Network to learn more about how SNAP-Ed supports farm to school and food systems work.
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Contact your Senator to inform them of the priorities your community cares about.
- Read more in MSU Extension’s live educational toolkit to learn key points about proposed legislation.
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Farm to ECE Office Hours
June 16, 2025, 2:30pm ET
On the 3rd Monday of every month, the National Farm to School Network invites you to an open, casual conversation about all things farm to early care and education. Open to anyone in the food system, early care and education, or community organizations who work with young children.
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Fruitful Connections: Peer to Peer Discussion on Using Go NAPSACC and Farm to ECE
June 30, 2025, 2:00pm ET
June 30th’s Fruitful Connection's topic is Go NAPSACC (GNS) and Farm to ECE. This 2pm call is for GNS veterans and newbies. Join us for an enriching discussion among peers about using Go NAPSACC, best practices, questions, and interesting applications.
This webinar is hosted by The Association of State Public Health Nutritionists (ASPHN).
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FARMWISE Monthly Webinar
July 14, 2025, 2:00pm ET
Topic: Childcare Outdoor Learning Environments as Active Food Systems: Effectiveness of the Preventing Obesity by Design Gardening Component
Expand what you know about Farm to ECE. On July 14, 2pm, learn from research about how Farm to ECE impacts what young children eat, learn and how active they are at the child care site. Guest Speaker Dr. Nilda Cosco, Director of Programs at the Natural Learning Initiative, College of Design at NC State University, will share the details of their research findings and how Farm to ECE can build multiple, valuable health habits among young children. This webinar is hosted by The Association of State Public Health Nutritionists (ASPHN).
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Virtual Gathering of the Natural Start Alliance
July 14-18, 2025
The Natural Start Alliance’s annual Nature-Based Early Learning Conference is a national gathering that brings together hundreds of new and seasoned nature-based early childhood education professionals from the U.S. and abroad. The 2025 conference will take place online July 14-18 with rich live sessions, workshops, and site tours.
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Read on for resources and inspiration to enhance educational experiences in all types of ECE settings. | |
Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation and Spark Awards
- The Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub will be offering Spark and Innovation Collaborative grants between $30,000 and $500,000 for districts to innovate and improve school meals. The award cycle is due to open in late 2025; now is a great time to brainstorm and connect to the Michigan State Lead Team to learn more about the Innovation Hub, grants, and resources available.
MI Growing Healthy Eaters Facebook Group
- Michigan’s ECE Facebook group is for childcare providers to connect with others in the Farm to ECE community, including local farmers, market managers, vendors and other providers.
Kid's Gardening Community: Early Childhood Gardening
- Visit Kid’s Gardening community discussion page to connect with fellow gardening enthusiasts.
Asparagus! A Cultivate Michigan Summer Feature Food
- Explore Michigan asparagus sourcing tips, resources, and recipes for your ECE site. Looking for weekend plans? The National Asparagus Festival is this weekend in Hart, Michigan!
| | About Michigan Farm to Early Care and Education Network | | |
The Michigan Farm to Early Care and Education (ECE) Network collaborates so children ages birth to 5 can grow, choose, and eat nutritious local food in early care and education settings.
Farm to ECE in Michigan includes local food sourcing, nutrition education, and gardening. Children, families, ECE providers, and farmers all benefit from farm to ECE.
The Michigan Farm to ECE Network exists to:
- improve access to healthy food,
- increase nutritional awareness and health outcomes, and
- support ECE providers as they work to improve children’s learning environments.
Contact Julie Lehman at lehmanju@msu.edu with any questions, comments, ideas or for more information on the Michigan Farm to ECE Network.
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