As we step into the warmth of spring, the promise of fresh, local produce is just around the corner. At the PA Farm to School Network, we know that now is the time for planning, planting, and preparing for another bountiful growing season. Whether you’re a farmer tending to your fields, an educator excited to incorporate seasonal food into your curriculum, or a food service director anticipating the harvest, this time of year offers opportunities for collaboration, growth, and learning. In this edition, we’ll share resources, tips, and exciting updates to help you get ready for a successful season ahead.

• Check out this article from PHS (Pennsylvania Horticulture Society) about April Gardening Tips to help you transition smoothly into the planting season.
• Our March Virtual Open House was all about school gardens. We heard from a variety of speakers who shared their favorite resources. If you missed it, don’t worry! You can access the recording and all of the resources shared here! 
• Plan Ahead. The USDA’s People’s Garden Initiative School Garden Checklist and School Garden Fact Sheet provide great overviews of what to consider when implementing a garden at your school
• Get inspired by Erie City School District’s farm to school program – a great example of year-round school garden programming. Students plant seeds in the spring, harvest in the fall and have culinary lessons and indoor gardening throughout the winter. Check out their PA Farm to School Success Story and other PA Farm to School programs for more inspiration.
• KidsGardening.org has excellent garden resources, lesson plans and opportunities for educators and caregivers, including a year-long webinar series that blends the marvels of nature, the magic of cross-curricular connections and the joy of culinary exploration!
• Invite a local farmer to your school or attend a farm field trip. If managing a garden is outside of your school’s capacity, consider inviting a farmer to your school or taking your students on a field trip to a local farm. This is a great way for students to connect with their local food system and explore a possible career in agriculture. Check out how Welsh Elementary School in Philadelphia partnered with HayDay farms to bring the farm to the classroom in this success story.