Hi everyone,
Happy summer! I hope you are enjoying the amazing abundance of fresh local food this time of year. Here are this week’s updates and this information is also archived on our blog:
Funding & Grants
1.USDA Seeks Applications for Loans and Grants to Create Jobs and Support Rural Economic Development
The USDA is accepting applications for loans and grants to support business expansion, create jobs and increase economic opportunities in rural communities. Funding is being provided through USDA's Rural Microentrepreneur Assistance Program (RMAP). RMAP provides loans and grants to Microenterprise Development Organizations (MDOs) to help microentrepreneurs – very small businesses with 10 or fewer employees – access capital to start or grow businesses. MDOs use the funds to provide training and technical assistance to small businesses or to establish revolving loan funds that provide micro-loans, typically $5,000 to $50,000, to rural microentrepreneurs. The 2014 Farm Bill reauthorized the program through 2018. For Fiscal Year 2015, more than $16 million is available in loans and grants. Details about how to apply for this are on page 35299 of the June 19 Federal Register. Application forms may be obtained from any USDA Rural Development State Office. More information can be found in this USDA press release.
2. Find your community of supporters with Barnraiser
The National Farm to School Network is partnering withBarnraiser, a crowdfunding platform dedicated to good food and farming projects, to elevate farm to school activities across the country. From school gardens in North Carolina to community cooking education in California, these projects are being funded by people who believe in the power of farm to school activities to support vibrant communities and to empower children and families to make healthy food choices. NFSN will be afeatured partneron the site with a page that aggregates farm to school crowdfunding campaigns from across the country.If you would like help initiating a crowdfunding campaign for your farm to school initiative, check out theBarnraiser Campaign Guideand/or contact Marie Sayles, Projects & Partnerships Director, . Don't forget to let us know when your project is live!
Webinars & Events
1. Webinar: New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, July 14, 1:30pm EST
Sustaining your Program after Community Food Projects Funding
This webinar with New Entry Sustainable Farming Project will discuss challenges and strategies for sustaining a program after your initial funding has finished. The presenters, Chris Brown of Agriculture and Land Based Training and Jennifer Hashley of New Entry Sustainable Farming Project, will each speak about experiences from their own organizations. They will address challenges they have faced with sustaining a program, and lessons they have learned from the process.
2. NESAWG 2015 Conference, November 13-14, Saratoga Springs, NY
Putting MOVE in the Movement
Civil rights, labor, women’s rights—the movements that transformed our world can give us insight on ways to accelerate food systems change. What can we learn from leaders past and present? How can we better organize our work, our networks, our message, our media? At this year’s Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Working Groupconference (Nov 13-14), learn and strategize with hundreds of attendees—from farmers to researchers to policymakers—as we work to build a movement and realize the change we want to see. Shirley Sherrod, a longtime civil rights activist and advocate for family farms and food justice, will deliver the keynote speech, addressing the conference theme: Putting Move in the Movement. Visit the conference websitefor more information.
Resources
1. New Edible Schoolyard Training Videos
The Edible Schoolyard recently debuted a new series of professional development videos with great tips for creating effective and inspiring learning environments – indoors and out. Watch the first three videos and stay tuned for more to come this summer!
Policy & Action
1. Tell Congress you support the Farm to School Act of 2015
Tell Congress you support the Farm to School Act of 2015 bysigning a letter of support as an individualor on behalf of yourorganization. TheFarm to School Act of 2015builds on the success of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 by proposing an increase in funding from $5 million to $15 million for theUSDA Farm to School Grant Program. The bill would also ensure that the grant program fully includes preschools, summer food service sites, after school programs, and tribal schools and producers while improving program participation from beginning, veteran and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers. To learn more, download thisfact sheetor visitfarmtoschool.org/cnr2015.
Jobs & Opportunities
1. Procurement Specialist, Community Alliance with Family Farmers
The Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to advocate for California family farms and sustainable agriculture. CAFF is a farmer member organization that works statewide to increase the economic viability of California family farmers and to connect communities with their local producers. The Procurement Specialist will work on a variety of projects that provide technical assistance to farmers in selling their products to different markets, primarily institutions such as schools and hospitals. The ideal candidate will have a strong competency in sustainable procurement work, farm to institution, and regional food systems in California.This position will be located in either the Davis or Oakland office. Applications due by July 8. More information can be found on the CAFF website.
Farm to school in the news
Fresh From Farms to Schools -- It Just Makes Sense
Nancy Brown - CEO, American Heart Association, recently spent a day at a Dallas school to learn more about how a USDA Farm to School Grant helped Dallas Independent School District bring locally-grown produce into cafeterias. She shares the steps the district is taking to ensure the next generation is a healthier one. Huffington Post
Vermont institute helps schools grow farm-to-school programs
Presented by Vermont FEED, the Northeast Farm to School Institute will host 13 school from around the region when it kicks off on Wednesday at Shelburne Farms. The institute will focus on professional development in order to design a more integrated curriculum that includes food, farm and nutrition in all aspects of student learning. Washington Times
Farm to School program gives students hands-on experience
With several classes each year for teachers, school nutrition staff members, the community and people from across the state, the Cherokee Farm to School program is a way to train gardeners who can go back to their communities and make an impact. Cherokee Tribune
Lafayette school lunch contest encourages kids to eat what they grow
The contest featured teams of three to four students with a teacher, community leader and a local chef using vegetables the kids grew at their schools. The Advocate
Farm to School Institute expands
Vermont FEED is expanding its pioneering Farm to School Institute to school teams from across New England and New York. Thirteen teams have recently been selected to participate, thanks to funding from a USDA Farm to School grant. Morning Ag Clips
Lettuce alone in Swampscott
Swampscott High School held its second annual Salad Day, offering students fresh veggies, a cooking demonstration and a lesson in local food. “A lot of people think eating fresh is more expensive,” Brandy Wilbur told the students. “But you can keep it simple, local and a lot more fresh … and cheaper.” The Daily Item
Best,
Stacey
Stacey A. Sobell, M.P.H. | Food & Farms Director | Ecotrust
721 NW 9th Avenue, Suite 200 • Portland, OR 97209
T (503) 467.0751 | F (503) 222.1517 |
*Please note that I work Monday through Thursday
Western Regional Leadand Farm to Preschool Lead for theNational Farm to School Network