Get Involved:

It’s never too early to start preparing for National Farm to School Month! Check out the resources below to help you get started:

• Find inspiration for your October festivities in the National Farm to School Month Resource Guide. Find even more ways to celebrate in last year’s blog post.
• Share Your Story: Now is a great time to plan how you will share your farm to school story leading up to and during National FTS Month. By sharing the benefits and successes of your program and activities with community members and government officials, you can generate more support for ongoing FTS efforts and inspire others. There are a few different ways to do this!

Participate in the National Farm to School Month Story Telling Contest. 
To celebrate National Farm to School Month this October, the PA Farm to School Network (PFSN) will host its second Farm to School (FTS) Storytelling Contest, encouraging FTS practitioners to share their stories with their community through various media. The contest encourages practitioners to share their stories in a variety of ways: it could be done through a collection of photos, a video, a written summary, poetry, testimonials, art and more. For those who submit, you will be entered in a raffle for a chance to win some farm to school swag. We encourage you and your young ones to get creative! Your story can highlight your entire program or focus on one aspect, such as a farm field trip or an event that you held. Check out last year’s submissions for some inspiration!

Below are some questions and examples to help you brainstorm:

• What farm to school programming are you doing? (e.g., educating students/kids about food and agriculture, engaging kids in gardening activities, procuring and serving local food products in school meals and snacks)
• Who is involved? Students, parents, faculty/staff, community members?
• Why is it meaningful to your community?

Fill out the survey below so we know how to best help you prepare. 

• Share your FTS program with government officials and community members during National FTS Month using this resource, Inviting Legislators to Your Events. Inviting these community leaders and members to witness your activities first-hand is a great opportunity for them to learn about “farm to school” and become supporters and champions of your efforts.
• Share your story with local media. This media toolkit includes sample social media posts to highlight your program and resources for contacting local media outlets. Promoting your work publicly and through known news sources can garner attention and support from your community!
• Spread the word about National FTS Month using this flyer!

Social Media Tips:

• When posting on social media, be sure to use #PAFarmtoSchool along with other related hashtags such as  #F2SMonth #PAPreferred and #buylocal. We look forward to seeing and sharing your photos and posts!
• Include photos of your promotional materials, local produce, or school gardens to publicize your efforts

Additional Resources:

• More resources can be found in The National Farm to School Network’s (NFSN) comprehensive farm to school database and the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Services Office of Community Food Systems’ resource list, including:
  • NFSN Fact Sheets and Resources 
  • USDA Farm to School Fact Sheets