ABCs of Farm-Based Education

March 31-April 2, 2023: Save the date for our next session of ABCs of Farm-Based Education at Shelburne Farms!

Registration will open soon! If you’d like to be notified when registration opens for the spring session, add your name to our interest list.

Training Newly Hired Farm-Based Educators

February 8, 3:30 - 4:30 PM EST (Online): When a new person starts working at your farm or organization, what type of training or onboarding do you offer? How do you welcome new staff? What initial training do they receive? How do you communicate about your educational/agricultural/organizational values and strengths, and how do you discover theirs? Register now.

Managing Growth and Demand Panel

Date/Time coming soon! Have you been seeing growing demand for your farm-based programs? Wondering how to adjust your programming to meet demand? Join us for a virtual panel discussion for FBEN members.

Summer Camp Learning Community

Dates/Times coming soon! Thanks for your patience as we get the Summer Camp Learning Community off the ground! This informal virtual space is in its 4th season, and has offered space for those running farm camp to check in with each other and share common challenges. Look for an email soon with dates!

FOR SCHOOL TEAMS

Vermont FEED's Farm to School Institute

A unique year-long professional learning opportunity for select school, early childhood, and district teams from New England & New York. Build relationships, skills, and a collaborative action plan for your school. Strengthen your capacity to make a lasting impact in classrooms, cafeterias, and communities. The Institute kicks off with an in-person action planning retreat at Shelburne Farms June 27–29, 2023. Teams implement their action plans during the school year with the support of a coach. Applications are due February 13, 2023.

FOR VERMONT FARMS

NOFA-VT's Agricultural Educator Cohort

A year-long peer learning opportunity. Are you a Vermont farmer interested in connecting with the schools and early childhood centers in your community? Have you been wanting to host groups of students on your farm but are stuck on where to start? Join us! Applications are open through February 24.

RESOURCE

Food Sovereignty Booklet from La Via Campesina

Farm to school is often described as highly interdisciplinary, inviting students to explore food systems from a variety of perspectives. La Via Campesina, an international movement, has created an illustrated booklet that explores new possibilities for food sovereignty while raising questions about climate change, indigeneity, global trade, and so much more. The booklet is freely available in English, Spanish, and French.

WEBINAR

Culturally Inclusive Teaching in the Garden

February 1, 7 p.m. ET (Online). $0-$50. By their nature, gardens embody diversity. Garden education is increasingly recognized as an interdisciplinary approach that integrates academic goals, health and wellness, place-based education, and community connections and relationships. However, discussion of culture is often missing in garden-based education. To validate and celebrate the interests and experiences of our students, we will delve deep into the significance of culture as it relates to food and gardens and also as it relates to the diverse populations with whom we work. Hosted by KidsGardening Register now.

WEBINAR

Best Practice in Human-Animal Interactions

January 26, 10 a.m. ET (Online). Free. The novelty of goat yoga and cow hugging have captured the public imagination, but occupational therapists, psychologists and special education teachers already knew that, with careful planning, farm animals can help people with various needs in exciting ways. Hosted by the International Association of Human-Animal Interaction Organizations. Register now.

The ScottsMiracle-Gro Foundation and KidsGardening are excited to announce the launch of the 2023 GroMoreGood Grassroots Grant! This grant will award a total of 160 programs $500 in funding to start or improve their youth gardens or greenspaces. Any nonprofit organization, school district, university, government entity, or tax-exempt organization, like religious organizations and Tribal governments, in the United States and U.S. Territories serving at least 15 youth are eligible to apply. Applications are due February 10, 2023.

Exciting openings from members and partners:

• Executive Director, Allegheny Mountain Institute, Shenandoah Valley, VA
• Education and Training Coordinator, Red Wiggler Community Farm, Germantown, MD
• Summer Program Assistant Director and Summer Program Staff, The Farm School, Athol, MA

Are you hiring? Post a job on FBEN's forum.

BLOG

FBEN Year in Review

Every year we listen to our members, and 2022 was no exception. We heard from one that FBEN “is my go-to place,” and from another that our workshop, “didn't ever feel rushed, I never felt obligated, I felt accepted where I was.” In September and October, we convened in person for the first time since October 2019! Meet our 2022 guest faclitators, host farms, and hear about FBEN from participants' themselves in our Year in Review.