Upcoming Events
|
|
USDA Farm to School Webinar Series: Planning for Farm to School Success in 2016
January 28-May 26, 2016
This 11-part webinar series will guide you through the USDA
Farm to School Planning Toolkit. These 30-minute webinars will offer questions to consider and helpful resources to reference when starting or growing a farm to school program. Past webinars will be archived.
FMI & Registration:
Webinar: Setting the Table for Success: Increasing Local Food Purchasing by Institutional Food Service Management
February 9, 2016 1:00-2:00
Join Farm to Institution New England for an orientation to the new
toolkit designed to help understand the process of incorporating local and regional foods into menus.
University of Maine Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Class Schedule
Master Gardener Volunteers must successfully complete 40+ hours of training and volunteer 40 hours toward community gardening programs and activities. Many Master Gardener Volunteers choose school garden projects!
Maine Department of Education Farm to School Meeting
March 23, 2016 8:00-12:30
Augusta Armory $20.00
All proceeds from registration will support the
Maine Local Produce Fund. School nutrition professional participants will earn 4 hours of professional standards.
FMI: Stephanie Stambach
Green Schools Conference & Expo
March 31-April 1, 2016
Pittsburgh, PA
This event brings together green schools thought-leaders and champions, connecting educators, school administrators, non-profit and corporate partners, and elected officials to advance the shared mission of green schools for all within this generation. Do you believe that all students deserve to learn and play in environments that are healthy, safe, and resource-efficient? Are you looking for new ideas to start or expand your school's sustainability goals?
Maine Nutrition Council Annual Conference: Challenges and Trends in Nutrition
April 8, 2016
Kennebec Valley Community College Alfond Campus, Hinckley, ME
34th National Pesticide Forum
April 15-16, 2016
University of Southern Maine, Portland
An opportunity for grassroots advocates, scientists, and policy makers to share efforts and build local, state, and national strategies for strength and growth. This year's conference will focus on the adoption of policies to protect human health and the environment, and organic land and building management strategies.
FEE: $20-$170
8th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference 
June 1-4, 2016
Madison, WI
The National Farm to Cafeteria Conference is a biennial event that convenes a diverse group of stakeholders from across the farm to cafeteria movement who are working to source local food for institutional cafeterias and foster a culture of food and agricultural literacy across America. The conference is hosted by the National Farm to School Network, in partnership with local host organizations.
Registration opens February 15, 2016 FMI: here
|
| MFSN Contacts |
| State Coordinator: Renee Page Healthy Communities of the Capital Area rpage@mcd.org 207.588.5020
Aroostook District: John Chartier
Aroostook County Healthy Aroostook
jchartier@mofga.org 207.521.1200
Central District: Kelly LaCasse
Kennebec & Somerset Counties
Healthy Northern Kennebec
Cumberland District: Genna Chericello
Cumberland County
Falmouth Schools Garden Coordinator
Downeast District: Katie Freedman
Hancock & Washington Counties
Healthy Acadia
katie@healthyacadia.org 207.288.5331
MidCoast District: Heather Burt
Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc & Waldo Counties
Penquis District: Bonnie Young
Penobscot & Piscataquis Counties
Western District: Laura Quynn
Androscoggin, Franklin, & Oxford Counties
Healthy Community Coalition of Greater Franklin County
York District: Kristine Jenkins
York County
Partners for a Hunger-Free York County
State Lead to National Farm to School Network Northeast Regional Steering Committee: Renee Page Healthy Communities of the Capital Area rpage@mcd.org 207.588.5020 USDA Farm to School Northeast Regional Lead: Danielle Fleury danielle.fleury@fns.usda.gov 617.565.1604 Maine Department of Education Child Nutrition Services Farm to School Contact: Stephanie Stambach stephanie.stambach@maine.gov 207.624.6732 |
Links to Useful Resources
|
National Farm to School Network
NFSN enables every child to have access to nutritious food while simultaneously benefiting communities and local farmers.
 USDA Farm to School
Resources to support local farm to school programs.
FMI & Resources:
 Maine Ag in the Classroom
MAITC provides information about agricultural concepts to teachers, students, and interested citizens.
Maine School Garden Network
MSGN promotes and supports educational gardens for youth and encourages school programs that teach healthy eating and environmental stewardship.
|
| Join Our List |
 |
|
|
Here are this month's Maine Farm to School updates. Included are save the dates, funding opportunities, and more. Please share this monthly update with others and encourage them to subscribe to this newsletter. Also be sure to let us know what's happening in your area related to Farm and Boat to School.
Renee Page,
Maine Farm to School Network Coordinator
National Farm to School Network Northeast Regional Steering Committee Maine State Lead
Contact Information:
|
| Farm to School Indicators |
|
|
Let Us Know What's Happening
Each month we compile all the exciting things that are happening in Farm to School across Maine. This data collection is critically important in helping us evaluate the impact of Farm to School activities. We really appreciate your time and effort in telling us about anything you did in
January
related to the following:
- Information, resources, and materials developed by you and others.
- Conferences, convenings, and trainings you've participated in.
- Contact with policymakers and other decision makers.
- Local or state policy and administrative initiatives.
- Key Farm to School or Farm to Preschool initiatives.
- Key Farm to School or Farm to Preschool pieces.
Each month we will be collecting this information, so please send things my way as they happen. Thank you to those of you who have already sent along your contributions!
Renee Page,
National Farm to School Network Northeast Regional Steering Committee Maine State Lead
|
| Congratulations 2016 Maine Agriculture Teachers of the Year |
|
|
Teacher team Stephanie Enaire and Morgan Kerr named 2016 Maine Agriculture Teachers of the Year
|
|
| Stephanie Enaire & Morgan Kerr from Gray-New Gloucester Middle School |
Congratulations to Gray-New Gloucester Middle School teacher partners Stephanie Enaire and Morgan Kerr, recognized for adding agriculture to all subjects across their curriculum. For example, they use their school garden to teach Science, Math, and Language Arts. They raise chickens with their students, visit local farms, explore agricultural careers, and study history through remaining rock walls and foundations left from farms in their community. Mr. Kerr has been a summer youth educator at Wolfe's Neck Farm and Mrs. Enaire grew up on a dairy farm in the same county. Both were recognized by Governor Paul R. LePage and Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Commissioner Walt Whitcomb at the 2016 Maine Agriculture Trades Show.
|
| 8th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference |
|
|
Short Courses Announced for June 2 at National Farm to Cafeteria Conference
The 8th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference kicks off on June 2, 2016 in Madison, WI with pre-conference short courses to dig deeper with experts from the Wallace Center, National Farmers Union,
Chef Ann Foundation,
|
|
| Click on the image to view short course descriptions. |
and more. Topics will include dismantling racism and advancing equity, models of state and regional collaboration and network development, implementing farm to school in school kitchens, how to start a cooperative, and food hubs and farm to cafeteria. These advanced half and full day courses will address challenges faced by mature programs and deepen attendees' involvement in farm to cafeteria activities.
Early bird registration opens February 15 and short courses are first come, first served. Additionally, scholarship applications are being accepted now until the scholarship deadline of February 29 at 5:00pm ET. Start planning your conference experience to bring home real food solutions and accelerate the growth of farm to cafeteria here in Maine.
|
| Washington County Schools Earn Grants for Growing Own Food |
|
Healthy Acadia supports local schools with kitchen equipment grants
|
|
| Perry Elementary School students Jacob Trott and Alex Harris stand beside the new reach-in cooler the school purchased with a grant from Healthy Acadia. Inside the cooler are some carrots harvested from the school greenhouse. |
Healthy Acadia, a Local Healthy Maine Partnership and recipient of a USDA Farm to School grant, awarded $1,250 Small Equipment Grants to Perry and Cherryfield Elementary Schools. Perry Elementary School will put the money toward a reach-in cooler and Cherryfield Elementary School will purchase a salad bar. Each piece of equipment helps make providing fresh fruits and vegetables easier in the schools. Read the
full article featured in Bangor Daily News.
|
| Are you a Farmer? Take this 5-20 minute survey for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card |
|
Survey of New England Producers Aims to Understand the Challenges and Opportunities Presented to Farmers by the Farm to Institution Market
Farm to Institution New England (FINE) is researching the regional farm to institution market. Please help by sharing the survey link below with producers, even if they do not currently sell to institutions.
|
|
| Click on the image to link to the survey. |
FINE knows that farmers' time is valuable. As an incentive to participate, they are giving away
five $100 Visa gift cards. Survey participants who provide their contact information will get a chance to win!
Results from the survey will help to better understand the challenges and opportunities presented by the farm to institution market. Learn more
here.
|
| Northeast Farm to School Institute Now Accepting Applications |
|
Seeking Maine school teams
|
|
| 90 school administrators, teachers, food service professionals, and community members participated in the 2015 Institute |
The Northeast Farm to School Institute is now accepting applications from schools in New England and New York. This year-long professional development program for 12 school teams beings with a Kickoff Summer Retreat June 28-30, 2016 at Shelburne Farms, VT.
Hosted by Vermont FEED, the Institute is designed for schools with farm to school programming that are looking to boost their program's impact in the cafeteria, classroom, and community. Institute school teams spend three days at the Kickoff Summer Retreat where they participate in professionally-led workshops, network with peers, and create a farm to school action plan. Each team will have an experienced farm to school coach to support them in carrying out their action plan through the school year.
In 2015 the Farm to School Institute hosted 12 school teams from across the northeast, including Maine's Falmouth Schools. The yearlong institute kicks off at Shelburne Farms in Vermont with a multi-day intensive for school teams who are then coached by a Farm to School mentor for a full year back in their districts to build their local farm to school programs.
FEE: $300 Scholarships available
Applications due March 11, 2016
|
| USDA Webinar Series |
|
Planning for Farm to School Success
This 11-part webinar series will guide participants through the
USDA Farm to School Planning Toolkit. These 30-minute webinars will offer questions to consider and helpful resources to reference when starting or growing a farm to school program. Guest speakers will join the webinars to share their hands on farm to school experiences. Previously shown webinars are archived for future viewing.
1. Intro to Farm to School: Planning and Building a Team January 14, 2016 1:00 PM EST
2. Setting Goals and Establishing an Evaluation Baseline January 28, 2016 2:00 PM EST
3. Finding and Buying Local Foods February 4, 2016 2:00 PM EST
4. Farm to School Menu Planning February 18, 2016 2:00 PM EST
5. Food Safety March 3, 2016 2:00 PM EST
6. Promoting Your Farm to School Program March 17, 2016 2:00 PM EDT
7. School Gardening March 31, 2016 2:00 PM EDT
8. Curriculum Integration April 7, 2016 2:00 PM EDT
9. Program Sustainability April 28, 2016 2:00 PM EDT
10. Evaluating Your Program May 12, 2016 2:00 PM EDT
11. Tying it All Together and Digging In May 26, 2016 2:00 PM EDT
FMI & Registration:
|
| FoodCorps Service Member Featured on WCSH 207 |
|
FoodCorps Service Member Lily Chaleff makes Kale Salad
|
|
| Click to view & get the recipes |
Watch FoodCorps Service Member Lily Chaleff, serving at Cultivating Community, make kale salad with Aiden Wood, 5th grader from Riverton Elementary School, and WCSH's Rob Caldwell.
|
| Interested in Learning More about Seafood to School? |
|
Case Study Series Highlights Local Seafood at Colleges, Schools, & a New England Hospital
K-12 Schools and other institutions are increasingly turning to the sea as another source for local foods. Farm to Institution New England (FINE) created a series of case studies that explores exactly how and why institutions are serving up locally caught seafood. View the case studies
here.
|
| Policy & Action |
|
Child Nutrition Reauthorization
On January 20, 2016 the Senate Committee on Agriculture passed bipartisan legislation to reauthorize child nutrition programs. Improving Child Nutrition Integrity and Access Act of 2016 reforms and reauthorizes child nutrition programs. Highlights of the proposed legislation include revisions to whole grain and sodium standards, addressing food waste, more resources for summer feeding programs, and all priority pieces included in the Farm to School Act of 2015, including doubling funding for the USDA Farm to School Grant Program from $5 million to $10 million. The bill now heads to the full Senate for final debate. Read more.
|
| Maine Farm to Institution Leadership Team |
|
The Maine Farm to School Network, with support from the Elmina B. Sewall Foundation Healthy People Healthy Places grant program, formed the Maine Farm to Institution (MEFTI) Leadership Team to identify ways in which Farm to School, Farm to Campus, and Farm to Healthcare initiatives can better partner and learn from one another to advance farm to institution across Maine. The 7-member leadership team, listed below, is working hard to identify priority areas and opportunities for collaboration across sectors to figure out ways to get more fresh, Maine food into institutional food programs.
One priority area is increased engagement and visibility across sectors. The group is developing a Maine Farm to Institution webpage (coming soon!) in collaboration with Farm to Institution New England. MEFTI is also working to develop regional opportunities to convene representatives from the sectors. To learn more about the project or to get involved, reach out to one of the Leadership Team members.
MEFTI Leadership Team
Ron Adams,
Consultant, Former Portland Public Schools Nutrition Director, Maine Farm & Sea Cooperative chefradams@gmail.com 207.749.2929
Katie Freedman,
Healthy Acadia Food Programs Director, Maine Farm to School Network Downeast District Representative katie@healthyacadia.org 207.667.7171
Emily Kain,
MaineHealth, Community Health Improvement Program Manager ekain@mainehealth.org 207.661.7154
Ken Morse,
Maine Network of Community Food Councils Coordinator kenmorse@mac.com 207.393.0134
Riley Neugebauer,
Farm to Institution New England Farm and Sea to Campus Project Manager rileyneugebauer@gmail.com 814.282.3039
Jen Obadia,
Health Care Without Harm Regional Coordinator jobadia@hcwh.org 914.815.1194
Renee Page,
Healthy Communities of the Capital Area Assistant Director,
Maine Farm to School Network Coordinator rpage@mcd.org 207.588.5020
|
| Barnraiser Fundraiser to Support Attendance at National Farm to Cafeteria Conference |
|
|
Help make it possible to send New England Farm to School advocates and practitioners from Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont to the top national training and networking event for professionals working to improve community health, build economic opportunities for farmers, and ensure long-term sustainability for local food efforts nationwide.
Learn more about the 8th National Farm to Cafeteria Conference here and about this Barnraiser here and the goal to provide scholarships for at least two individuals from each New England state to attend the conference. |
| FoodCorps Service Member Applications Open |
|
Seeking Applicants for 2016-17 FoodCorps Term
 FoodCorps is recruiting applicants for the coming year. Now in its 5th year, FoodCorps has 205 service members serving in 17 states and Washington D.C. and is
accepting applications through March 31, 2016 for the upcoming service term beginning September 2016.
FMI & Application:
here
|
| Funding & Sustainability Opportunities |
|
|
Carton to Garden
Show your students' creativity by re-purposing milk and juice cartons from your school cafeteria to either build or enhance your school garden. Educators can engage students in a hands-on experience creating teachable moments on environmental stewardship, sustainable packaging, and healthy living. The best use of cartons in a school garden gives your school the chance to win one of 14 prizes with a grand prize valued at $5,000. Learn more at
carton2garden.com
Barnraiser
Webinars: Barnraiser, Crowdfunding 101
Every Thursday, 1pm
Calling all farm to school advocates, farmers, producers, and school gardeners. Join Barnraiser's weekly webinars to learn the 5 keys to successful crowdfunding on Barnraiser. Hear the stories of successful campaigns, as well as tips, tricks and insider knowledge from the Barnraiser team to get your farm to school project successfully funded.
|
Maine Farm to School Network
|
|
 |
| ME Public Health Districts |
Farm to School programs work to build and tend school gardens, deliver agriculturally-based nutrition education, and develop local food procurement systems to increase agricultural awareness, improve health, and support the local economy.
The MFSN aims to build communication and coordination infrastructure closer to schools and communities which are the foundation of this very special local foods movement.
The MFSN is organized with a State Coordinator and District Representatives in each of the 8 Public Health Districts in Maine. The first annual MFSN Conference, held on May 12, 2012 at Mt. View High School in Thorndike, brought together Farm to School champions from across the state for workshops and networking opportunities. Since then, annual conferences have been held in Portland, Ellsworth, and Hinckley. The Network works to bring more locally sourced foods into schools coupled with experiential agriculture education.
Contact your MFSN Representative (see left) to learn more.
|
|
| Like Maine Farm to School Network on Facebook |
|
|
|
|
|
