As we transition out of National Farm to School (FTS) month and into new seasons, now is a great time to reflect, celebrate and show gratitude. At the heart of our work are the dedicated growers, educators, practitioners and students who come together to build and strengthen our communities. We are deeply grateful to you for generously sharing your time, expertise, and resources. We must also recognize the students, whose curiosity and enthusiasm drive the success of our farm to school network.
We asked farm to school practitioners why they are grateful for farm to school:
Allison Newlen, Hide-N-Seek Daycare in Lewistown: “We are grateful for the joy and excitement through the eyes of the children in planting and caring for our center’s garden. Even a small growth is exciting to them! We are thankful for their willingness to try new foods that they helped grow and care for and that they might otherwise never have tried without being included in the gardening process.”
Emily Scott, 5th Grade Teacher at Potter-Thomas Elementary in Philadelphia: “The most rewarding part of being involved in farm to school has been watching students make connections and build a better understanding of where their food actually comes from. I love when I hear students say things like, “I’m going to ask my mom to make this for me when I get home!” I think we see the impacts made by FTS every garden club when they learn the systems behind how something gets from the ground to the plate in front of them. It promotes critical thinking, while also promoting the love of delicious fresh food.”
In this time of reflection, consider answering these questions: What are you grateful for? What has been the most rewarding part of being involved in farm to school? Can you remember a moment when you made an impact on someone else, or a time when someone else helped you? How do you show appreciation? We would love to hear your responses! Here are a few ways you can share:
- National Farm to School Month Storytelling Contest: As a reminder, The PA Farm to School Network is celebrating by hosting the National Farm to School Month Storytelling Contest. Submit your story by 11:59 pm on November 8 to be entered into the raffle to win some excellent prizes. You can also share your story at any time through our Success Stories submission form.
- Advocate for Local Food by Telling Your Story! Sharing your farm to school program and activities with local legislators is a great way to advocate for farm to school. Check out our *BRAND NEW* Local Food Purchasing Incentive (LFPI) Communications and Advocacy Toolkit to help you advocate for farm to school policies in Pennsylvania. See the amazing example below of how Erie Farm to School hosted Pennsylvania Secretary of Agriculture, Russell Redding, at their middle school garden in October. For more information and tips on how to advocate for Pennsylvania’s LFPI, The Keystone Fresh Act, visit this link.
Together, we are sowing seeds of gratitude for our local food systems and the relationships that nurture them. Let’s continue to grow together, with appreciation for the vital roles each of us plays.