If you missed the September virtual open house, you can view the recording below.

During the open house, we discussed the current landscape of farm to school policy at the state and federal levels, the upcoming PA Farm to School Grant, and the Keystone Fresh Act. We also learned about the Tulpehocken Area School District’s inspiring farm to school program.

Our first presenter, Ryan Betz from the National Farm to School Network, started the meeting with an overview of the current federal policy landscape. Ryan addressed several federal policy changes impacting farm to school programs, including updates to the USDA Farm to School Grant Program, the Local Food for Schools funding cut, and the Snap-Ed program cut.

Ryan also shared the exciting news that the USDA has announced a request for applications for the 2026 Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grants. The USDA will be holding grant info sessions from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM on October 8, 2025, October 21, 2025, November 5, 2025, November 18, 2025, and December 2, 2025. Applications are due by December 5, 2025.

Ryan highlighted new bills introduced in Congress that could provide additional funding for farm to school initiatives. In the Senate, S. 2338, the Strengthening Local Food Security Act, was introduced by Senators Jim Justice (R-WV) and Jack Reed (D-RI). In the House, H.R. 4782, the Local Farmers Feeding Our Communities Act, was introduced by Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01), Rob Bresnahan (R-PA-08), Josh Riley (D-NY-19), and David Valadao (R-CA-22), alongside many cosponsors. Representatives Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA), Mark Alford (R-MO), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) also introduced the Growing Opportunities in Agriculture (GO Ag) Act (H.R. 4945), which would create a $5 million grant program to help high schools cover startup costs for agriculture education programs.

Our next presenter, Shane Kaplan from the PA Department of Agriculture, shared updates on the PA Farm to School Grant. The grant application is currently open and will close on Friday, November 14, 2025, at 5:00 PM. Interested applicants can attend a virtual information session on October 14 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM to learn more about eligibility, project ideas, and the application process. Virtual office hours are also available for additional questions on Monday, October 6 (10:00 AM–12:00 PM), Thursday, October 9 (1:00–3:00 PM), and Thursday, October 16 (1:00–3:00 PM).

We also discussed the Keystone Fresh Act and heard from Crystal Hampton, owner of Davis Grown Farm, and Nick Milone, Food Service Director at Gettysburg Area School District. Crystal and Nick shared their perspectives on local food procurement from both the producer and school food service viewpoints. Learn more about the Keystone Fresh Act here.< Finally, Amy Garber, a farmer and agriculture educator at Tulpehocken Area School District, presented about their outstanding farm to school program.

If you couldn’t attend the open house, you can watch the recording here!