March 2025
Happy March!
As we move into warmer weather and the growing season picks up, it's the perfect time to see Farm to School in action! Read ahead in our newsletter to discover ways YOU can experience firsthand the incredible programs taking root across Utah. From touring a bison ranch to see where students’ food comes from to joining an “Adult Field Trip” showcasing a Farm to School Grant recipient, there are plenty of opportunities to experience the impact of local food in schools and be inspired by the partnerships bringing these programs to life.
Stay connected and follow us on social media for even more updates, behind-the-scenes stories, and event highlights throughout the month. Let’s celebrate the success of Farm to School together!
2025 Movement Building Workshops
Our schedule is now available for our 2025 Movement Building Workshops. This year’s theme is Celebrating Farm to School in Utah: Stories that Inspire and Ideas to Grow!
The goal of these workshops is to showcase real farm-to-school success stories, offering inspiration and strategies to strengthen Utah’s local food systems. Whether you’re a farmer, educator, or advocate, gain the tools and connections to help farm-to-school thrive!
Workshop 1: Rooted in Resilience: Ranching for the Next Generation - Registration now open!
Saturday, April 26 - Boulder, UT
Highlighting a local ranch’s sustainable model for selling livestock to schools—proving farm-to-school is profitable, scalable, and beneficial. Indigenous soil experts will share how traditional and regenerative practices foster resiliency and food sovereignty.
Registration coming soon for the following:
Workshop 2: Honoring Roots: Indigenous Foodways in School Meals
Tuesday, June 24 - Duschene, UT
Highlighting a local ranch’s sustainable model for selling livestock to schools—proving farm-to-school is profitable, scalable, and beneficial. Indigenous soil experts will share how traditional and regenerative practices foster resiliency and food sovereignty.
Workshop 3: Beyond the Cafeteria: Creative Farm to School Pathways
Friday, September 5 - Salt Lake City, UT
Highlighting diverse and innovative farm-to-school models, from farm-based charter schools to refugee youth programs and nonprofit-run community gardens, demonstrating the many ways farm-to-school can thrive.
Workshop 4: Sowing Seeds of Success: Farm to School Grants in Action
Monday, September 29 - Moab, UT
Featuring a successful farm-to-school grant recipient to inspire and guide others in applying for funding, showing the impact that grants can have in making local food accessible to schools.
Raising the Steaks - Register here!
Every April, we extend an invitation to all those interested in supporting Utah kids and families to join us in celebrating local protein products and the individuals behind their production!
Last year, we welcomed over 74,000 participants and contributed $15,000 to our local producers! Let’s keep growing together and make an even bigger impact each year!
Here are some ideas to celebrate: host a jerky tasting from a local ranch, take a field trip to a farm with livestock, stock your school cafeteria with local milk or dairy products, and more!
Network Spotlight
Mountain Ridge High School - Soil to Serve Summit
The Soil to Serve event inspired over 100 kids to explore how they can turn their passion for healthy eating, farming, and cooking into a career! With a variety of speakers and businesses sharing their personal journeys, the event highlighted how to build a successful life or business centered around whole, healthy eating.
Resource Spotlight
Farm to School State Policy Map - National Farm to School Network
Interested in knowing what's happening in Utah and throughout the United States this legislative session? Check out Farm to School State Policy Map!
National Farm to School Network partners and state policy advocates are advancing policies that benefit kids, farmers, and communities by ensuring nutritious meals, creating school market opportunities, and promoting local food systems.
Get Involved
Utah Agriculture in the Classroom - Spring Series Professional Development Workshop
March 8, 2025 | Register here
This one-day institute is completely FREE to attend and will include traveling tours to local elementary schools with successful aquaponics and hydroponics systems, professional development workshops, classroom resources, teacher stipend, lunch, and USBE relicensure hours. Please note, this institute is for active teachers who are currently teaching in Utah.
Utah Farm to Fork Peer Learning Groups
Chefs | March 4 | Register here
The Farm to School Peer Learning Group for Chefs invites culinary professionals interested in participating in farm-to-school initiatives, including hands-on involvement like scratch cooking and developing locally sourced recipes. This is a great opportunity to share your ideas and collaborate on expanding farm-to-school efforts in Utah.
Food Distributors | March 18 | Register here
The Farm to School Peer Learning Group for Food Distributors provides a platform for distributors to proactively engage in Utah's farm-to-school movement. Participants will learn strategies to become preferred distributors for schools seeking local sourcing options, while also exploring how farm-to-school initiatives can align with and strengthen their business models.
Food Justice
You can help shape Farm to School policy!
The Farm to School Network makes it simple! Share your story about the impact of farm-to-school initiatives and funding, and let your legislators know which key policies will influence Farm to School in Utah.
Community Food Security Program
The Community Food Security Program, overseen by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, works to cultivate an equitable and resilient local food system that ensures all Utahns have access to affordable, safe, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food. The work of CFSP is devoted to serving diverse communities across the state and reducing barriers of access to nutrition options.
Job Opportunities
Garden Manager with Summit Community Gardens
Park City, UT | Open until filled | Apply here
The Summit Community Gardens - EATS (SCG-EATS) Garden Manager is a key part of our team, responsible for overall management and oversight of our vibrant 1.5-acre Garden space: growing food donated to community partners with a team of garden assistants and volunteers; building a community of plot renters; and creating a space where volunteers, families, and casual visitors to the garden feel welcome.
Funding Opportunities
Whole Foods Foundation Garden Grants
Due March 5, 2025 | Apply here
Do you know a school that wants to create or enhance their school garden? Newman’s Own Foundation is teaming up the Whole Foods Market Foundation on the 2025 Whole Kids Garden Grants Program! Garden must be located at a charter or public school (including Tribally controlled and Bureau of Indian Education schools or a non-profit private school.)
2025 SNF Equipment Grants
Due March 12, 2025 | Apply here
The School Nutrition Foundation (SNF) is awarding over $600,000 worth of equipment to school districts with 2025 Equipment Grants. Applicants must be current director-level members of SNA. Visit the Equipment Grants page for more eligibility details!
Did You Know?
Did you know there's a podcast all about Farm to School? Give it a listen!
Join Our Network!
Learn more about new sources and connect with other farm to school advocates!