Grants & Funding
1. USDA FY 2019 Farm to School Grant RFA
Deadline: December 4, 2018 - last day to apply!
The FY 2019 Farm to School Grant Program Request for Applications (RFA) is now open to applicants. Due to additional funding made available to the Farm to School Grant Program through the FY 2018 Omnibus Bill, the Office of Community Food Systems (OCFS) seeks to award approximately $7.5M in FY 2019 funding.  Applications are due Dec. 4, 2018. Learn more and apply here.


Webinars & Events
1. Farm to Cafeteria Canada National Farm to School Conference - Call for Proposals
March 15-17, 2019 // Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Farm to Cafeteria Canada's (F2CC) National Farm to School Conference will be held in Victoria, British Columbia, May 15-17, 2019 and we are now accepting proposals. Building on the success of the 2015 Changing the Menu conference, this event is designed to advance activity to bring more healthy, local and sustainable foods into the minds and onto the plates of students in preschools, schools (K-12) and campuses across Canada. We invite you to join your colleagues from across Canada as they INSPIRE, INNOVATE, and organize for IMPACT. Deadline to submit is December 20, 2018. Learn more here.


Research & Resources
1. Opportunities and Challenges for Farm to Early Care and Education in Settings Serving Low-Income Children
Farm to early care and education (ECE) is a set of activities that includes the use of local foods in meals and snacks, gardening opportunities, and food-based education. This study, co-authored by Lacy Stephens, NFSN Program Manager, utilizes results from a 2015 national survey of ECE providers, to explore farm to ECE activities in settings serving high proportions of low-income children. Read the study here.

2. Local Food for Little Eaters: A Migrant & Seasonal Head Start Guide to Local Food Purchasing
Local food purchasing is one component of farm to early care and education (ECE), which also includes on-site gardens and food, nutrition, and agriculture education. This guide, developed by Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems, is designed to help Migrant and Seasonal Head Start (MSHS) programs increase the amount of local foods they purchase and use in their early care and education (ECE) programs serving children of migrant and seasonal farmworkers. Read more here.

3. Farm to Keiki: Cooking, Gardening and Nutrition for Children
Farm to Keiki is a new farm to school lesson and recipe book written for Hawaiiʻs teachers and families. The 182 color pages make it easy to teach children healthy cooking, how to eat locally grown foods, how to grow a garden and about Hawaiiʻs cultures and environment. The recommended age group is for children 3-9 years old. Click here to download the e-book. 

4. RWJF Interdisciplinary Leaders Application
Applications for the next cohort of RWJF Interdisciplinary Leaders open January 11, 2019! RWJF is looking for teams of two researchers and one community partner who are using the power of applied research—research that informs and supports critical work being done in communities—to improve health and equity. Let us know (email lacy@farmtoschool.org) if you are interested in exploring farm to school/ECE opportunities for this research partnership. 


Job Opportunities
1. Executive Director, National Farm to School Network (Remote) 
National Farm to School Network seeks a dynamic, values-driven and collaborative leader as Executive Director. The Executive Director leads innovation and strategic growth toward accomplishing the mission of the organization. Location is flexible (anywhere within the U.S., with preference for proximity to Washington, D.C.). The deadline to apply is Jan. 7, 2019. Learn more here. 

2. Director, McDowell Farm School (Nauvoo, AL)
McDowell Farm School is a located at Camp McDowell in northern Alabama’s canyon country next to the Bankhead National Forest. With 1100+ acres of forests, streams, and canyons plus the 40-acre Farm to explore and utilize as a classroom. The Farm School is looking for the perfect person to lead a team of professional educators in a full-time position as Director. Full-time, salaried, on-site housing, and full benefits. Learn more and apply here.

3. Youth Programs Manager, Wright-Locke Farm (Winchester, MA)
Wright-Locke Farm in Winchester, MA is hiring a Youth Programs Manager (YPM) to
manage, facilitate and develop outdoor youth education programs. The YPM position is year-round: full-time (40 hours) from April through October and part-time (20 hours) from December through March. Benefits are included. Learn more and apply here. 


Farm to School in the News
Hawaii elementary school became first DOE school to serve taro
Eleele Elementary School on Kauai became the first Hawaii Department of Education school to serve kalo or taro in its food service menu. This is part of Aina Pono, the Hawaii State Farm to School Program. Eleele Elementary principal Paul Zina invited Lt. Governor Doug Chin, Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho and Kauai Mayor-elect Derek Kawakami to help serve kalo to the students. (KITV 4)

California Girl Scout rejuvenates school garden
Natalie Dean, a member of the Coastside Girl Scout Troop, was recently presented with the Girl Scout Silver Award. Dean, who is now a ninthgrader at Mercy High School, chose hunger, and began working to renovate a community garden at her former middle school. (Half Moon Bay Review)

Ohio County Board of Health promote farm to school 
The Cuyahoga County Board of Health is currently promoting the farm to school initiatives with its Feed Our Future effort by holding town hall meetings around Northeast Ohio. (cleveland.com)