|
|  |
Earth Day Celebration
In March, we are in need of several volunteers to prepare for the #Grow Food Challenge kick-off on Earth Day =>Register to be a seed sorter or sign painter.
Additionally, we need volunteers to support our Earth Day Event on Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 9 am to 12 noon (volunteers needed from from 8am -12:30pm)
Where: Martin Farmers Market, 101 Main Street, Martin, TN 38237
| | | |
|
All seeds will be pre-packaged for easy seed distribution events, including a marketing poster to hang, and smaller flyers to share in your community. |
| |
Seeking #Grow Food Challenge Seed Hubs
Would your organization or civic group like to distribute free seeds? We are in need of Seed Distribution Hub locations throughout the following counties: Benton, Carroll, Crockett, Dyer, Lake, Gibson, Henry, Obion, Weakley.
Seeds will be distributed in preparation for the official kick-off on Saturday, April 22, 2023, but may be distributed before, during or after the kick-off date (4/22) through May 10th.
|
| | |
|
| |
Sharon School Garden
The Sharon School garden is moving to a new spot behind Sharon School to serve as a space to teach children how and where their food comes from. Some of the harvest is used in the school cafeteria. The garden is located behind Sharon School.
Volunteer Needs: (make sure to bring gloves and drinking water)
1)March- Help create a border and apply cardboard and mulch
2)April – Prepare beds for student classroom planting in May
|
| | |
|
|
Meet us in downtown Martin on the corner of Frederick and Lindell Streets. We meet the last Fridays of the month from 9-10:30am
March 31, April 28, May 19, June 30, July 28, August 25, September 29, October 27, November 24.
|
| |
Adopt-A-Site
Located on the corner of Lindell and Frederick Streets, in Martin, TN, the NWTN Local Food Network has an adopt-a-site pollinator and edible plant bed as part of the Martin Beautiful group in the City of Martin, TN. We tidy up the beds and add natural elements throughout the season. Volunteer support is greatly appreciated! Bring gloves and water.
|
| | |
|
"I enjoy working with the Local Food Network. I had to volunteer through workers comp and I was happy to give back to my community."
- Michelle Allmon - volunteered 158 hours in 2022
|
| | |
USDA's Proposed Rule on Child Nutrition Standards Includes BIG Wins for Farm to School!
As it stands, the recently proposed rule for child nutrition standards would make it much easier for school nutrition operators to purchase from local farmers and suppliers. It would also make important strides in improving equity and nutrition for school meals. This is a big step forward for farm to school programs across the nation!
What’s next?
Currently, the USDA is actively seeking input on the proposed rule from child nutrition professionals, parents and families, students, educators, and vendors/producers in the school food supply chain by April 10, 2023. USDA will use this feedback to create a “durable rule” that will take effect starting in the 2024-2025 school year. View a chart outlining the proposed changes here; read the full proposed rule here.
| |
There is still more work to do! | |
|
Celebrate National School Breakfast Week: March 6 - 10th!
Advocate for School Nutrition!
Kids that eat #schoolbreakfast are more likely to consume whole grains and fruits at breakfast than kids that eat breakfast elsewhere. Learn more @TeamNutrition #NutritionSecurity Download and Share Resources
| |
Take the Farm to School Survey & WIN!
The LFN is seeking Tennessee farmers to take this very important survey by March 31, 2023! This voluntary survey will take about 10 minutes to complete and asks about your general views and input to help develop more Farm to School connections across the State of Tennessee. Those who complete the survey will be entered to win a free Local Food Network t-shirt and a variety of seeds.
| |
|
Be listed in this year's Local Food Guide Magazine
We invite YOU to fill out our FREE registration form by March 31, 2023 to be included in this year’s Northwest Tennessee Local Food Guide Magazine.
Residents throughout the region use the NWTN Local Food Guide Magazine to find family farms, farmers markets, wineries/distilleries, restaurants, food artisans and bakers, farm stores and stands, pumpkin patches, u-pick farms, CSAs, animal products, beekeepers, processors, food trucks, locally owned restaurants, locally owned plant vendors, and food relief organizations.
Download the 2022 NWTN Local Food Guide
| |
|
Attend the Farm to School Summit
Thursday, April 6, 2023
8 am - 4:30 pm
Agricenter International, 7777 Walnut Grove Rd., Memphis, TN 38120
The Tennessee Department of Education, in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, is delighted to invite farmers and school nutrition directors to the first annual Farm to School Institute. This meeting is designed to connect school nutrition programs, farmers and producers, community partners, and state agencies to improve the efforts of Farm to School across the state. Please contact Lynsey Paul, TN Farm to School Specialist, if you have questions: [email protected].
Register for FREE HERE!
| |
Become a Vendor at the Martin Farmers Market this season
The MAFM will host the 2023 season vendor meeting at the Martin Event Center at the Martin Public Library on Saturday, March 11th at 9am. The meeting is open to anyone interested in being a vendor at the MAFM.
MAFM is a producer/artisan ONLY market all goods must be grown/produced within 50-mile radius of Martin. Registration will be open at 10am on 3/11.
More information can be found here:
www.cityofmartin.net/martin-farmers-market-2
| |
|
Virtual Meet-up in Kenya
Travel with us to visit the schools of Narok County, Kenya as the Northwest Tennessee Local Food Network will host a FREE Virtual Meet-UP on Friday, March 17th at 10am (Central) 7pm (Kenya).
We will explore Farm to School programming through Innov8Africa’s partnership with Narok County Schools, Kenya. Learn about how Innov8Africa integrates an eight sustainable module framework woven throughout their school culture. Hear stories about feeding school children and their communities with their school-based agriculture and nutrition programs.
This event is geared towards teachers, students, school nutrition staff, garden educators and agricultural and nutrition advocates.
| |
|
Get your FREE seat at our virtual Meet-Up table while only 100 spots are available by registering through Eventbright.
Invite your friends to the table: Share on Facebook.
| |
Martin Beautiful Spring Garden Seminar - Seeking Plant Vendors and Organizations
The City of Martin is seeking vendors to sell their plants and organizations to share information during the 2023 Martin Beautiful Spring Garden Seminar on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at the Martin Public Library from 8:30am - 12:30pm. Set-up begins at 7:30am on the outdoor stage on the north side of Martin Public Library.
Please contact Samantha Goyret with any questions – 731-332-9071, [email protected].
| |
|
Earth Day Celebration - Seeking Organizations to table
Would you like to showcase your efforts to create a more sustainable world? Join us on Saturday, April 22nd from 9am - 12 noon for the Earth Day Celebration at the Martin Farmers Market!
| |
We are seeking organizations that promote conservation efforts. Register to table at the Earth Day Event | |
Starting Tomatoes from Seeds
On Tuesday, March 21st at 1pm, learn how to start tomatoes and other seeds inside for transplanting in late spring/early summer at Blackberry Pond Farm.
Cost: $5 fee to cover supplies.
Every participant will leave with 6 pack of plugs planted tomato seeds to grow inside and tips and instructions.
RSVP at Blackberry Pond Farm
| |
|
Featured Harvest of the Month Poster - HERBS | | | | |
