Join the Vermont Farm to School Network 

The Vermont Farm to School Network provides statewide leadership, coordination, and advocacy to advance new and existing Farm to School efforts in Vermont classrooms, cafeterias and communities. The Vermont Farm to School Network is open to all Farm to School advocates, practitioners, and programs across the state. 

Join us for: A Convening of the Vermont Farm to School Network 

May 11, 2011
3:00-6:00 pm
Montpelier High School

3:00-4:30 pm: Tour of Montpelier High School's Greenhouse and Integrated Science Curriculum; Networking; and Snacks

4:30-6:00 pm: Statewide Farm to School Evaluation Discussion: 

What do you need to know in order to implement a more effective Farm to School Program? How can we build a comprehensive understanding of the impacts of Farm to School across Vermont? How can evaluation best serve Farm to School practitioners across the state?

In order to strengthen the Vermont Farm to School Grant Program, Vermont FEED in partnership with UVM and the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, is developing a Farm to School Evaluation Toolkit. This toolkit will build on the work of Network partners to help schools evaluate the effectiveness of their programs.

Will you join us May 11? Please RSVP to Libby McDonald (libby@nofavt.org; 434.4122).

The Vermont Farm to School LISTSERV will provide Farm to School programs and organizations across the state with the opportunity to share information, post event listings or just ask a question. This is a great way to get the latest state and national updates about Farm to School and stay connected with programs all over Vermont. 

The Vermont Farm to School Network is facilitated by Vermont Food Education Every Day (VT FEED).  For more information on the Vermont Farm to School Network or to sign up for the listserv, visit the Vermont Farm to School Network webpage. 

SNA-VT Conference: Call for Proposals

Hello friends, This is a reminder that we are seeking your knowledge, enthusiasm, and expertise to help make this year's SNA-VT conference really wonderful. You can find the RFP and more information here. Please consider putting together a proposal to share what you do best. Good news, the deadline to submit your proposal to present has been extended to May 19th, but we do need to receive them by then because we have got lots of planning to do. Thanks for your interest - we hope to hear from you soon.

Kathy Alexander, President

Abbie Nelson, Vice President and Conference Chair

SNA-VT

Farm-Based Education Conference: Call for Proposals

The Farm-Based Education Association and Shelburne Farms invite youto submit workshop proposals for the 5th Farm-Based Education Conference. The conference will provide a unique arena for farm-based education practitioners seeking tools and professional camaraderie to support their programmatic and organizational goals. The conference program is designed to provide participants with updates on the issues at the forefront of farm-based education and to provide them with the opportunity to share ideas, materials, and strategies. Farmers, teachers, educators, community organizers, philanthropists, health care professionals, historians, land conservationists, journalists, and food/farm advocates are all welcome to participate and/or present. We seek workshops and presenters that inspire, challenge, enlighten, and engage a diverse group of attendees. Click here for more information.

Funding Opportunities

Yes to Carrots

With a joint mission of giving kids fun and engaging ways to learn about nutrition and the importance of fruits and veggies, Yes to Carrots and Whole Foods will be giving away five $2,000 Seed Fund Grants in each participating Whole Foods region* to local schools, plus five $500 'Starter Garden' grants to schools nationwide! All Yes To products in participating Whole Foods stores are 20% off, and a portion of proceeds of all sales go to the Seed Fund! Click here for more information.

Farm to School Arts Cards

Looking for an easy fundraiser for your Farm to School program? It can't get much easier or more beautiful than Farm to School Arts Cards. Vermont Farm to School Arts note card packages contain 5 different, original, full -color landscapes by Vermont artist. Your group makes $4 per pack sold and each pack retails for $10. The cards and envelopes are made from 100% recycled, 100% post-consumer, chlorine-free paper manufactured in a carbon-neutral manner featuring environmentally sound ink. All the details can be found here.