Fresh from the Farm Update

[Lydia Mills]

Good afternoon FFF educators,

I hope you are all staying warm. It is challenging to teach about farms and gardens while stuck inside, but look to our Sow and Grow curriculum for plenty of activity ideas. It’s also never too early to start planning for next year. If you are interested in learning more about season extension, starting the spring growing season early, or the basics of winter garden preparation, don’t hesitate to email me or this listserv.

In this update:
1. One Earth Film Festival and Young Filmmakers Workshop
2. Farm to School in Illinois
3. Healthy Snacks Tip Sheets from IPHI
4. GoodGreens Urban Agriculture Meeting
5. Funding Opportunity: Katie’s Krops Grant
6. Join Us! Fall Concert on December 11th

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1. One Earth Film Festival
Are your students motivated environmentalists? Give them a camera and see what they can do! The third annual "One Earth... Our Earth!" Young Filmmakers Contest, part of the One Earth Film Fest, is now accepting entries for this year's competition.  Students, grades three through college, are eligible to submit their short film on the topic of sustainability by January 18, 2015 for consideration. Winning films in each age category will debut at the One Earth Film Festival, March 6-8, 2015. Cash and matching grant prizes will also be awarded to this year's winners.  For full contest and festival details, as well as information about upcoming filmmaking workshops, visit oneearthfilmfest.org.

One Earth Film Festival Young Filmmakers Workshop
Saturday, December 13, 9:00am-1:00pm
Students will learn the basics of how to make a film. Instruction by filmmaking and photography professionals, covering topics such as script writing, story telling, casting, lighting, video, audio, copyright and editing.  Entering a film into the contest is encouraged but is not compulsory.  Snacks and water will be provided.
Grades:  5-8 
Leaders:  Ben Bahl and Matt Kosterman
Location:  River Forest Park District – The Depot

Fee:  River Forest Residents $20/ Non-residents $25
To Register Call (708) 366-6660 or Register Online Here

2. Farm to School Illinois
We at Seven Generations Ahead are pleased to announce that we are taking on the role of Farm to School State Lead Organization here in Illinois. Plan to hear more about this exciting work in January. Lindsey Arenberg will be the main contact here for this program. Find her contact information here.

3. Healthy Snacks Tip Sheets from IPHI
Are you an administrator looking for ideas on increasing availability of healthy snacks while maintaining revenue? In October, the Illinois Public Health Institute released a series of tip sheets for schools that address the need for healthy snacks and beverages now that there are new rules for competition foods. The Illinois Public Health Institute partnered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Network of Public Health Institutes, and Kids’ Safe and Healthful Foods Project to produce the tip sheets.  As schools and districts work to implement USDA’s new Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards, these tip sheets share strategies from districts that have successfully implemented healthier competitive foods standards, sold more fruits and vegetables, taught nutrition to students, and made cafeterias more enticing for students. Check out their website for more information.

4. GoodGreens Urban Agriculture Meeting
For locals in the Chicago area involved in the Urban Agriculture movement, this is a great way to learn more about the movement and work that is being done. The GoodGreens group meets every month and is sponsored by the USDA FNS. For more information or if you plan to attend, email Alan Shannon: ALAN.SHANNON @ fns.usda.gov.

The next GoodGreens meeting will be held from Thursday, November 20th from 10:00 to 12:00 Central Time in FNS’ offices on the 20th floor at 77 West Jackson Boulevard in Chicago. You can also call in to participate. For those attending in person, you’ll need to pass through security as the meeting is in a federal building. After passing through security, head to the third bank of elevators on the left and proceed to the 20th floor. One you arrive on the 20th floor, look for GoodGreens signs.

5. Funding Opportunity: Katie’s Krops
This grant would support any vegetable garden, big or small, that plans to donate the harvest to charitable organizations. This would be a great way to expand a school garden’s connection to the community or to being one. The application deadline is December 31st. Go to Katie’s Krops for more information: http://katieskrops.com/apply-for-a-grant.html

6. Join Us! Fall Concert on December 11th
Seven Generations Ahead has an amazing evening benefit concert planned for December 11th, and we are reaching out to our biggest supporters for the opportunity to purchase tickets before we sell out! Scott Ainslie and Blue Mother Tupelo are two incredibly entertaining and talented acts that we know you'll love. Please join us for a knockout, blues-infused, foot-stomping evening while helping to support our mission to make communities more sustainable and healthy.  
 
Here are the details:
Event:  SGA's First Annual Benefit Concert, featuring Blue Mother Tupelo and Scott Ainslie
Date: Thursday, December 11th, 2014
Time:  7pm doors open; 8pm concert
Tickets:  $75 each, includes complimentary bar and appetizers.  $100 at the door.
Purchase:  CLICK HERE!