Fresh From the Farm Update
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Lydia Mills
Jan 27, 2015, 3:02:03 PM1/27/15
to freshfromthe...@googlegroups.com
Greetings, FFF Educators!
It seems like the holidays just ended, and here we are at the end of January, where spring is just around the corner (we hope). This e-newsletter is filled with funding opportunities that could help spring gardens grow. If you have any questions or want to reach out for more information about Farm to School, contact Lydia Mills at ly...@sevengenerationsahead.org.
In this update:
1. Good Food Festival, March 19th - 21st
2. Farm to School Networking Conferences, February 9th, 23rd and March 9th
3. Illinois Farm to School Network
4. USDA Farm to School Program Webinars
5. Proposed New CACFP Meal Standards
6. Job Opportunities
7. Funding Opportunities
- - -
1. Good Food Festival
The Good Food Festival here in Chicago is now accepting proposals for speakers on food policy and small micro-workshops about a variety of topics. This is a great venue for sharing ideas, resources and successful projects. Click here for to view the RFP for policy speakers and click here for the Good Food Commons. There is also a school food track to this conference, so put it on your calendar! March 19th - 21st, 2015.
2. Farm to School Networking Conferences
There are three opportunities to attend an exciting new networking event for school administrators and farmers across the state. If you are interested in learning more about how to make Farm to School work in your cafeteria, learn best practices and meet vendors who grow nutritious, healthy food, this is a perfect opportunity. The trainings are in February and March in Springfield, Carbondale and Joliet.
Southern Illinois University (SIU) will be partnering with the Illinois Farmers Market Association (IFMA), University of Illinois Extension (UIE) and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to host three regional Farm to School conferences in 2015. The conferences will speak to two key stakeholders in the Farm to School movement: farmers and school foodservice managers. Each conference will include the following:
• Economic opportunities for local farmers
• Education on safe food handling, including Good Handling Practices (GHP) and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)
• Cooking demonstrations by professional chefs
• Information concerning the rules and regulations for local food procurement at schools
Register for the conference here.
3. Illinois Farm to School Network
Are you a teacher, school administrator, parent teacher organization member, garden coordinator or anything in between? Are you interested in becoming involved with the Illinois Farm to School Network? We are in the planning stages and our goal is to become a resource dissemination center where partners from across the state can work together in different program areas. We also aim to assist schools increase their Farm to School activities, including school gardens, nutrition education, local food procurement and more. Want to sign the Illinois Farm to School Pledge? Click here to get involved!
4. USDA Webinar Series on Starting a Farm to School Program
USDA has just what you need to start or expand your farm to school program. Starting in January, 2015, an 11-part webinar series will help build skills and develop new strategies for bringing local foods into the lunchroom. Join for tips and insights on topics like building a team, menu planning, program sustainability, and more! January’s Schedule: 1. Farm to School Planning and Building a Team, January 15, 2:00 pm EST. Learn tips and best practices for building a farm to school team, facing struggles and surprises, and building a foundation for a successful project. Guest speakers include farm to school planning grantees from the District of Springfield Missouri and IDEA Charter school in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. 2. Setting Goals and Establishing an Evaluation Baseline, January 28, 2:00 pm EST. How do you know if your activities are having an impact on local farmers and improving student health? Learn how to integrate program planning/evaluation tools and techniques that will document outcomes that demonstrate the importance of farm to school programs. Can't join us? Webinars will be recorded for future reference. For the full listing of webinars, please visit our website.
5. New Proposed CACFP Meal Standards
The USDA and FRAC are hosting a webinar on the new proposed healthier meal pattern standards for CACFP, the Child and Adult Care Food Program. This program provides a reimbursement for meals in Head Start, child care centers, family child care homes, after school programs, emergency shelters and adult day care, plus more. The webinar is Thursday, January 29th at 1:30pm Eastern. Register here for the webinar. Learn what you need to know about USDA's recently proposed rule, "Child and Adult Care Food Program: Meal Pattern Revisions Related to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.”
6. Job Opportunities
a. The Organic Gardener Ltd. is looking for Gardeners and Garden Builders in Highland Park, IL.
Since 2004, The Organic Gardener, Ltd. (TOG) has been installing and tending organic vegetable gardens in urban and suburban backyards and managing The Edible Gardens at the Lincoln Park Zoo. Our mission is to educate children and families about the benefits of organic gardening and provide them with the tools, skills and materials they need to grow healthful, vibrant food at home. We hold a high standard of design expertise and attention to detail in design and implementation.
Role and Responsibilities: A garden crew member is expected to be an outdoor professional, working in all conditions to maintain the health and aesthetics of our organic vegetable gardens, while positively interacting with clients and their children. Garden maintenance crew members are also expected to assist with all aspects of TOG’s needs, including early season soil preparation and end of season project support. Visit http://theorganicgardener.net/ for more information.
b. Liberty Prairie Foundation is looking for a Local Food Community Outreach Intern
Position Summary: This internship is focused on community engagement and distributing fresh vegetables via multiple programs to underserved communities. The position offers the successful candidate a diverse and meaningful experience in the area of food systems with a dynamic and leading organization in the field. The intern will: conduct outreach activities to communities and organizations pursuing local food initiatives; coordinate a fresh vegetable distribution program with a local community partner organization; run a gleaning program; and distribute vegetables to voucher recipients of the Women Infant Children (WIC) Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP).
In addition to our programs, we are involved with transportation, environmental, and food policy at the local, regional and state levels. The Foundation owns several properties in Prairie Crossing, including the Byron Colby Barn, the 100-acre certified organic Prairie Crossing Farm and the community gardens. Visit our website at www.libertyprairie.org for more information.
c. Growing Home is looking for a Farm Sales Manager
Growing Home’s organic urban farm and job training program is seeking a sales manager to handle all market-based activities. The Farm Sales Manager will oversee Growing Home’s stand at two major farmers markets, as well as the weekly Wood St. urban farm stand. Additionally, the Farm Sales Manager will assist in crop harvest and other on-farm tasks, as well as providing training to Production Assistants enrolled in Growing Home’s job training program. Training aspects will include crop production, customer service, and job readiness, both at market and in the field alongside our Farm Site Manager. This position will be the face of Growing Home to a majority of our buyers, including direct sales, restaurant, and wholesale. Visit http://growinghomeinc.org/ for more information.
7. Funding Opportunities
National Institute for Food and Agriculture
Earlier this month the National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) released a Request for Applications (RFA) for the 2015 Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP). The deadline for applications is 5:00 pm EST on Friday, March 13. The RFA is posted on NIFA's website: http://www.nifa.usda.gov/funding/rfas/pdfs/15_bfrdp.pdf. NIFA will host a webinar to answer questions about the RFA on Wednesday, February 11th at 4:00pm EST. Here is the link to the webinar: http://nifa-connect.nifa.usda.gov/bfrdp15rfa/
Crowdfunding for Green School Initiatives The nation-wide, nonprofit crowdfunding platform ioby is offering a special ‘match funding’ opportunity to schools that are starting an environmental project for the very first time. Eligible projects can be anywhere in the US, and must run a crowdfunding campaign with a goal of $1000 or less, in early 2015. Thanks to the support of the Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation, donations to Green Schools campaigns will be doubled, up to $500 per campaign. Visit ioby.org/green-schools for more info and to apply.
Lowe's Toolbox for Education Program
Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation is looking to award $5,000 to as many as 1,000 schools this year. Grants are available to both educators and parent groups with project ideas to enhance their school or community. Deadline: February 13, 2015.
URL: www.toolboxforeducation.com/index.html
Micro-Grants/Karma for Cara Foundation
Micro-grants to fund service projects in communities, with ideas including rebuilding a playground or turning a vacant lot into a community garden. Eligibility: For children 18 and under. Funding: between $250 and $1,000. Deadline: Rolling. Contact: in...@karmaforcara.org. Link here.
Ben & Jerry's Foundation: Grassroots Organizing for Social Change Program
Supports organizations working towards social and environmental change, and support just, sustainable food systems. Eligibility: Non-profit grassroots organizations. Funding: Up to $20,000 Deadline: April 15, 2015. Link here.
It seems like the holidays just ended, and here we are at the end of January, where spring is just around the corner (we hope). This e-newsletter is filled with funding opportunities that could help spring gardens grow. If you have any questions or want to reach out for more information about Farm to School, contact Lydia Mills at ly...@sevengenerationsahead.org.
In this update:
1. Good Food Festival, March 19th - 21st
2. Farm to School Networking Conferences, February 9th, 23rd and March 9th
3. Illinois Farm to School Network
4. USDA Farm to School Program Webinars
5. Proposed New CACFP Meal Standards
6. Job Opportunities
7. Funding Opportunities
- - -
1. Good Food Festival
The Good Food Festival here in Chicago is now accepting proposals for speakers on food policy and small micro-workshops about a variety of topics. This is a great venue for sharing ideas, resources and successful projects. Click here for to view the RFP for policy speakers and click here for the Good Food Commons. There is also a school food track to this conference, so put it on your calendar! March 19th - 21st, 2015.
2. Farm to School Networking Conferences
There are three opportunities to attend an exciting new networking event for school administrators and farmers across the state. If you are interested in learning more about how to make Farm to School work in your cafeteria, learn best practices and meet vendors who grow nutritious, healthy food, this is a perfect opportunity. The trainings are in February and March in Springfield, Carbondale and Joliet.
Southern Illinois University (SIU) will be partnering with the Illinois Farmers Market Association (IFMA), University of Illinois Extension (UIE) and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) to host three regional Farm to School conferences in 2015. The conferences will speak to two key stakeholders in the Farm to School movement: farmers and school foodservice managers. Each conference will include the following:
• Economic opportunities for local farmers
• Education on safe food handling, including Good Handling Practices (GHP) and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)
• Cooking demonstrations by professional chefs
• Information concerning the rules and regulations for local food procurement at schools
Register for the conference here.
3. Illinois Farm to School Network
Are you a teacher, school administrator, parent teacher organization member, garden coordinator or anything in between? Are you interested in becoming involved with the Illinois Farm to School Network? We are in the planning stages and our goal is to become a resource dissemination center where partners from across the state can work together in different program areas. We also aim to assist schools increase their Farm to School activities, including school gardens, nutrition education, local food procurement and more. Want to sign the Illinois Farm to School Pledge? Click here to get involved!
4. USDA Webinar Series on Starting a Farm to School Program
USDA has just what you need to start or expand your farm to school program. Starting in January, 2015, an 11-part webinar series will help build skills and develop new strategies for bringing local foods into the lunchroom. Join for tips and insights on topics like building a team, menu planning, program sustainability, and more! January’s Schedule: 1. Farm to School Planning and Building a Team, January 15, 2:00 pm EST. Learn tips and best practices for building a farm to school team, facing struggles and surprises, and building a foundation for a successful project. Guest speakers include farm to school planning grantees from the District of Springfield Missouri and IDEA Charter school in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. 2. Setting Goals and Establishing an Evaluation Baseline, January 28, 2:00 pm EST. How do you know if your activities are having an impact on local farmers and improving student health? Learn how to integrate program planning/evaluation tools and techniques that will document outcomes that demonstrate the importance of farm to school programs. Can't join us? Webinars will be recorded for future reference. For the full listing of webinars, please visit our website.
5. New Proposed CACFP Meal Standards
The USDA and FRAC are hosting a webinar on the new proposed healthier meal pattern standards for CACFP, the Child and Adult Care Food Program. This program provides a reimbursement for meals in Head Start, child care centers, family child care homes, after school programs, emergency shelters and adult day care, plus more. The webinar is Thursday, January 29th at 1:30pm Eastern. Register here for the webinar. Learn what you need to know about USDA's recently proposed rule, "Child and Adult Care Food Program: Meal Pattern Revisions Related to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.”
6. Job Opportunities
a. The Organic Gardener Ltd. is looking for Gardeners and Garden Builders in Highland Park, IL.
Since 2004, The Organic Gardener, Ltd. (TOG) has been installing and tending organic vegetable gardens in urban and suburban backyards and managing The Edible Gardens at the Lincoln Park Zoo. Our mission is to educate children and families about the benefits of organic gardening and provide them with the tools, skills and materials they need to grow healthful, vibrant food at home. We hold a high standard of design expertise and attention to detail in design and implementation.
Role and Responsibilities: A garden crew member is expected to be an outdoor professional, working in all conditions to maintain the health and aesthetics of our organic vegetable gardens, while positively interacting with clients and their children. Garden maintenance crew members are also expected to assist with all aspects of TOG’s needs, including early season soil preparation and end of season project support. Visit http://theorganicgardener.net/ for more information.
b. Liberty Prairie Foundation is looking for a Local Food Community Outreach Intern
Position Summary: This internship is focused on community engagement and distributing fresh vegetables via multiple programs to underserved communities. The position offers the successful candidate a diverse and meaningful experience in the area of food systems with a dynamic and leading organization in the field. The intern will: conduct outreach activities to communities and organizations pursuing local food initiatives; coordinate a fresh vegetable distribution program with a local community partner organization; run a gleaning program; and distribute vegetables to voucher recipients of the Women Infant Children (WIC) Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP).
In addition to our programs, we are involved with transportation, environmental, and food policy at the local, regional and state levels. The Foundation owns several properties in Prairie Crossing, including the Byron Colby Barn, the 100-acre certified organic Prairie Crossing Farm and the community gardens. Visit our website at www.libertyprairie.org for more information.
c. Growing Home is looking for a Farm Sales Manager
Growing Home’s organic urban farm and job training program is seeking a sales manager to handle all market-based activities. The Farm Sales Manager will oversee Growing Home’s stand at two major farmers markets, as well as the weekly Wood St. urban farm stand. Additionally, the Farm Sales Manager will assist in crop harvest and other on-farm tasks, as well as providing training to Production Assistants enrolled in Growing Home’s job training program. Training aspects will include crop production, customer service, and job readiness, both at market and in the field alongside our Farm Site Manager. This position will be the face of Growing Home to a majority of our buyers, including direct sales, restaurant, and wholesale. Visit http://growinghomeinc.org/ for more information.
7. Funding Opportunities
National Institute for Food and Agriculture
Earlier this month the National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) released a Request for Applications (RFA) for the 2015 Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP). The deadline for applications is 5:00 pm EST on Friday, March 13. The RFA is posted on NIFA's website: http://www.nifa.usda.gov/funding/rfas/pdfs/15_bfrdp.pdf. NIFA will host a webinar to answer questions about the RFA on Wednesday, February 11th at 4:00pm EST. Here is the link to the webinar: http://nifa-connect.nifa.usda.gov/bfrdp15rfa/
Crowdfunding for Green School Initiatives The nation-wide, nonprofit crowdfunding platform ioby is offering a special ‘match funding’ opportunity to schools that are starting an environmental project for the very first time. Eligible projects can be anywhere in the US, and must run a crowdfunding campaign with a goal of $1000 or less, in early 2015. Thanks to the support of the Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation, donations to Green Schools campaigns will be doubled, up to $500 per campaign. Visit ioby.org/green-schools for more info and to apply.
Lowe's Toolbox for Education Program
Lowe's Charitable and Educational Foundation is looking to award $5,000 to as many as 1,000 schools this year. Grants are available to both educators and parent groups with project ideas to enhance their school or community. Deadline: February 13, 2015.
URL: www.toolboxforeducation.com/index.html
Micro-Grants/Karma for Cara Foundation
Micro-grants to fund service projects in communities, with ideas including rebuilding a playground or turning a vacant lot into a community garden. Eligibility: For children 18 and under. Funding: between $250 and $1,000. Deadline: Rolling. Contact: in...@karmaforcara.org. Link here.
Ben & Jerry's Foundation: Grassroots Organizing for Social Change Program
Supports organizations working towards social and environmental change, and support just, sustainable food systems. Eligibility: Non-profit grassroots organizations. Funding: Up to $20,000 Deadline: April 15, 2015. Link here.
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