August 25th, 2011
Asheville, NC
Registration is Closed

Farm to School is a concept gaining national attention as both a market opportunity for farmers and a positive education opportunity impacting children’s health. Farm to School can include:

• local food procurement for schools
• farm field trips
• school gardens
• cooking with local foods

This conference, specifically designed for Cooperative Extension professionals, acknowledges the unique position Extension holds in being able to offer an integrated approach to Farm to School. Bringing together Extension professionals from across NC, SC, and GA, this conference offers an opportunity to build capacity to assist farms and communities with Farm to School initiatives. The conference is meant for ANR, FACS, and 4-H agents and offers a unique opportunity for collaboration across program areas.

The purpose of the training is to examine Cooperative Extension’s role in the implementation of Farm to School programming. As the Farm to School movement continues to grow, farmers and other community members will look to Cooperative Extension for help implementing Farm to School initiatives. The workshops will provide Extension with the information and resources needed to define their role in this process. This includes training on: farm and farmer assessments to meet school requirements and implementation of educational components of farm to school (for example, establishing school gardens, recommending farms for farm field trips and utilizing Family and Consumer Science to offer local food cooking classes and demonstrations).

Travel expenses will be covered for NC, SC, and GA Cooperative Extension professionals (one night lodging). Space is limited to 25 people per state and registrations will be accepted on a first-come first-serve basis.

This regional conference has been designed through a collaborative effort spearheaded by Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) in partnership with Extension personnel from NC, SC, and GA, farmers, NC Department of Ag., the National Farm to School Network (NFTSN), School Food Service Directors (SFSDs), Southern Sustainable Agriculture Working Group (SSAWG), and Sustainable Agriculture Coordinators from land grant and non land grant universities.

Location: AB Tech Enka Candler campus, Haynes Conference center.  Check here for directions.

Updated Conference Agenda

8:00-8:30 am Registration and light breakfast
8:30-9:10 am Welcome/Intro to Farm to School(Emily Jackson), framing in context of Extension (John O'Sullivan)
9:20-10:50 am Session 1
11:00-12:30 pm Session 2
12:30-2:10 pm Lunch and Networking
1:30 Optional Lunch and Learn - USDA Rules and Regulations or Blue Ridge Food Ventures tour
2:20-3:20 pm Session 3
3:30-4:30 pm State breakout and wrap up

This Project funded by SARE.