Maine
Farm to School News
November 2020
Thank You for a Successful Virtual Convening!
Maine Farm to School Network hosted 50 Maine Farm to School stakeholders in action planning on Nov. 5th via Zoom! 

The top strategic priorities that emerged for 2020-2023 are:
  • Maine Farm to School Institute: (a Maine focused version of the NE Farm to School Institute) providing training and support to help schools develop action plans for incorporating or expanding farm to school activities.
  • Equity, diversity, & inclusion: increasing support for and participation of historically marginalized Maine communities in farm to school programs and leadership, including diversifying network membership.
  • Fundraising: engaging in raising funds to support school / local farm to school programs.
  • Policy advocacy: mobilizing members to advocate for state and/or school district policies that support farm to school programs.
  • Training & Technical Assistance: coordinating and promoting training and technical assistance to help schools with procurement and preparation of local foods.

Stay tuned for a full report out from this meeting & next steps, uploaded soon onto the MFSN website
Registration Open for the 2021 Maine Farm to School Cook-Off 

The Farm to School Cook-off is an annual, statewide culinary competition among school nutrition professionals and students, to promote local foods in school meals. This year’s cook-off is following in the footsteps of schools and going with a hybrid model!

The challenge ingredients for this year’s cook-off, donated from Maine farms, will be eggs for breakfast and parsnips for lunch. Don’t miss out on this fun opportunity!

Learn more here.
Farm to School & COVID-19
Success Story from Maine Ag. in the Classroom
"We created a Remote Learning & Online Resources Guide for educators that is a compilation of so many great ag-related resources to use for remote learning. I'm thankful for being able to adapt and pivot to still provide resources and assistance to teachers."
- Kelsey Fortin, MAITC Program Coordinator
Explore more of Maine Ag in the Classroom's Lesson Plans for Maine Educators! Teach ME About Food and Farms Lesson Site is a collection of lessons and resources for educators in Grades Pre-K – 12 that is accessible and searchable by topic, grade and Maine Learning Results and Common Core Standards.
Rethinking Curriculum: Celebrate Indigenous Foods & Wabanaki Peoples for Thanksgiving
The Indigenous NH Harvest Calendar is an educational project by New Hampshire Farm to School in collaboration with the NH Indigenous Collaborative Collective and the Cowasuck Band of the Pennacook-Abenaki People. Learn more about the project.
Interested in learning more about Farm to School in Indigenous Communities?

including the Bar Harbor Abbe Museum's Teaching Native American History in Schools: Tips for Teaching about the Wabanaki
November School Garden Spotlight: Saccarappa School Garden, Westbrook
"Our garden does not just belong to the school. It is a community garden. Our neighbors give use financial contributions, plants, seeds, and equipment. They help weed, water, stake up plants, and pick pest from plants. When we are not in school, you never know what little things happen. The garden creates the feeling where neighbors and school are one. It is also wonderful to see the children working together in the garden. Some of more challenging children excel in the garden. To quote one kindergartener, "Gardening is better than recess."- Guyla Woodbrey 
Registration Open: Maine Food Convergence
Virtual Stakeholders Meeting
Harvest of the Month Program
November is Maine Brassicas Month!
December is Maine Winter Squash Month!
Share your Harvest of the Month photos & stories on Instagram @hom.maine #mainehom. Contact Robin Kerber at robin.kerber@maine.gov to learn more about participating in Harvest of the Month
Harvest of the Month Curriculum from Maine Ag in the Classroom
Maine Climate Council Reaches Important Milestone

The movement toward a cleaner future for Maine reached an important milestone recently when the Maine Climate Council (MCC) approved draft recommendations for the state’s next Climate Action Plan.

We are especially encouraged by the emphasis placed on creating a more local, more sustainable Maine food system. All of the related strategies will help Maine reduce its carbon footprint, bolster the resilience of Maine's farmers and foresters, and put more Maine food in Maine schools.

The work continues and we want to be sure that policymakers understand the inextricable links among healthy soils, healthy climate, healthy people and a healthy Maine economy. The final Climate Action Plan is due to be released December 1 and will need to be administered through state agencies or passed through the state legislature.
Dates to Remember

MAITC Grants Deadline
December 14, 2020

Maine Nutrition Council 
Virtual Educational Event
"How Maine Feeds Our Children During the Coronavirus Pandemic"
January 21, 2021
10am - 12pm

Maine Nutrition Council 
Annual Conference
"Nutrition From the Sea"
Bar Harbor, ME
April 29, 2021

Maine School Garden Day
Reeds Brook Middle School
Hampden, ME
May 1, 2021
Funding Opportunities
  • Now accepting applications for all grant categories, Deadline is December 14th.

  • The Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (NSLA) establishes a Farm to School Program in order to assist eligible entities, through grants and technical assistance, in implementing farm to school programs that improve access to local foods in eligible schools. Deadline is January 8, 2021.
  • Funding is available for six priority areas in fundamental and applied sciences important to agriculture. Deadlines vary based on program.