Are you an educator, farmer, school administrator, school board member, parent, student or part of a school nutrition or wellness team?
Don’t miss this opportunity to educate youth about agriculture, new resources and future opportunities for Farm to School programs. Transform Wisconsin, Department of Public Instruction, UW Extension-Cooperative Extension and the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection are just a few of the multi-state partners that are hosting the 2013 Wisconsin Farm to School Summit at the Radisson Hotel in LaCrosse, Wis. on Wednesday, June 26 and Thursday, June 27.
The theme of the 2013 Wisconsin Farm to School Summit is “Linking the Land and the Lunchroom.” The two day summit will consist of workshops, sessions and networking opportunities.
A few of the featured workshops are:
- School gardens
- Culinary skills
- Incorporating Farm to School programs into early child care
- Farm to School field trips
The conference registration deadline is Monday, June 17. The cost is $25 for a single day or $45 for both days.
More about Farm to School
Wisconsin Farm to School programs set out to promote children’s health, strengthen children’s and communities’ knowledge and attitudes surrounding agriculture and nutrition as well as strengthen local economies by expanding markets for Wisconsin products.
The programs that are created through the Farm to School network are essential to help kids and parents understand where their food comes from. The vision is to ensure the health of school children, farms, the environment, economy and communities.
Highlights of Farm to School programs in Wisconsin
- Mount Horeb Area School District has been locally purchasing fruits and vegetables and incorporating them into the schools lunch menus since 2005.
- REAP Food Group is a nonprofit regional food system that provides the Madison Metropolitan School District 800 pounds of locally grown fruits and vegetables to Madison elementary schools for classrooms snacks. REAP also provides in class educational programs to show students how to make better food choices by knowing where their food comes from.
- Holmen School District purchases local items from farms and dairies and works with a local chef to use the locally produced items into the lunch menu.
Programs, organizations and initiatives such as the Farm to School network, Linking the Land to the Lunchroom summit and REAP are just a handful of the amazing opportunities to connect and teach youth about the importance of the agricultural industry.
[Note] The Division of Public Health Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Program, UW-Madison Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, HealthFirst Wisconsin and Wisconsin Obesity Prevention Network are also partners for the 2013 summit.
