Farm to school movement has exploded across Nebraska

LYONS — Farm to School is a win for students, a win for farmers, and a win for communities. It strengthens our food system and our local economies, and it provides opportunities for students to develop new skills, such as agricultural or livestock production, and marketing, business, and entrepreneurship.

Over the past decade, the farm to school movement has exploded across the U.S., reaching millions of students in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and U.S. territories. School gardens, school farms, high tunnels, and farm field trips have expanded the classroom and hands-on learning for students.

Students and farmers alike are growing local food for cafeteria trays, and farm to school practices help children learn about where food comes from and make healthier choices while also creating new markets for local and regional farmers. Farm to school also helps more students explore careers in food systems, farming, and agriculture to which they might not otherwise be exposed.

Many states celebrate National Farm to School Month with special events, such as local food tastings like the Great Apple Crunch, launching a Harvest of the Month program, offering Beef in Schools, or organizing a weeklong series of activities. These special events are providing even more opportunities to get involved this October and bring the farm right into school. The Nebraska Farm to School Summit set for Oct. 17-18 is a great opportunity to plug into the Farm to School Network, connect with farmers and schools, and learn about funding opportunities to support farm to school efforts.

Established in 1973, the Center for Rural Affairs is a private, nonprofit organization working to strengthen small businesses, family farms and ranches, and rural communities through action oriented programs addressing social, economic, and environmental issues.

Register for the Nebraska Farm to School Summit by visiting cfra.org/ events, or find out how your state celebrates by exploring the National Farm to School Month Events Calendar at farmtoschoolmonth.org#events