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Monthly Harvest - April 2025


April 2025


Hello Farm to Fork friends!

 

As we step into spring, we're excited to share the latest updates and success stories from the Farm to School movement in Utah. Despite funding cuts, we're focusing on the incredible progress we've made together. From growing local partnerships to bringing fresh, healthy food into schools, our community has achieved so much.

 

This is the perfect time to join us in sharing ideas and celebrating the impact we’re making. Together, we can continue strengthening the Farm to School movement in Utah and work towards even more successes in the months ahead


 

Raising the Steaks 2025 - 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!



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

Saturday, April 26 - Boulder, UT - Register here! - Deadline is April 16th

 

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 2: Honoring Roots: Indigenous Foodways in School Meals

Tuesday, June 24 - Duschene, UT - Register here!

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 - Register here!

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 - Register here!

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.


Network Spotlight



Moab Homegrown is a family farm offering fresh, local produce like squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, cucamelons, potatoes, and microgreens.


They’re expanding to supply more Utah schools and offer delivery or pickup in Moab, plus bi-weekly deliveries from Spanish Fork to Salt Lake City.

 

Interested? Contact them at moabhomegrown@gmail.com or 801-455-5032.







Resource Spotlight


Utah Agritourism Map


Explore the Utah Agritourism Map to discover farm tours, events, and hands-on experiences across the state. It’s a great way to participate in Raising the Steaks, an agritourism field trip event. Check out the map and plan your next adventure today.

 


Get Involved


A Taste of Indigenous Foods | School Garden Support Organization Network

 

April 30 | Register here

 

What are indigenous foods, where do we get them, and how do we prepare them? Many native North American foods, both cultivated and harvested, were removed from our diets through intentional colonial efforts. Mariah Gladstone is leading the way in a food movement that is revitalizing and incorporating these important foods into the contemporary diet. During her cooking demonstration, she will prepare one of her original recipes and showcase other indigenous foods that can be grown in school gardens and easily incorporated into your own kitchen.


Utah Farm to Fork Peer Learning Groups

 

Our Peer Learning Groups provide a collaborative space for individuals and organizations committed to advancing Farm to School initiatives in Utah.

 

These groups:

  • Foster Connections – Build a strong, supportive network of professionals working toward shared goals.

  • Share Updates – Stay informed on statewide developments, successes, and challenges.

  • Provide Feedback – Offer insights on resources and support needed in your area.

  • Enhance Learning – Gain knowledge and inspiration from peers to strengthen your impact.

 

Families & Students | Tuesday, April 1 | 3:00 – 4:00 pm | Register here!

 

School Gardens (indoor and outdoor) | Tuesday, April 15 | 3:00 – 4:00pm | Register here!


Food Justice



 Funding Updates for Farm to School

 

USDA Funding Cuts

Recent USDA budget changes have impacted farm-to-school funding:



Local Food for Schools Grant

Despite the termination of the LFSCC funding, the 2023 Local Food for Schools (LFS) grant, known as the "Utah Beef Project," remains available through April 15, 2025. Schools must submit invoices in Utah Grants by April 15, 2025. Reimbursements will be processed in late April before the grant closes in May.

 

Enhanced Local Reimbursement Program

Despite losses in federal funds, Utah schools can apply for Enhanced Local Reimbursement (ELR) funds. $250,000 has been allocated FY 2025 by the Utah State Board of Education to support local food purchases. We look forward to continuing our support for Utah’s local producers through this program, helping schools bring fresh, locally sourced ingredients to their meal programs.

 

Contact Dani Perez at danielle.perez@schools.utah.gov for more information


Job Opportunities


Garden Assistant | Summit Community Gardens & EATS 

Park City | Open until filled | Apply here

 

The Summit Community Gardens - EATS (SCG-EATS) Garden Assistant is a key part of our team, helping to manage our vibrant 1.5-acre Garden space: growing food donated to community partners; building a community of plot renters; managing volunteer groups large and small; and creating a space where volunteers, families, and casual visitors to the garden feel welcome.


Funding Opportunities


Teaching Kitchen Collaborative (TKC) Scholarship

 

May 9, 2025 | Apply here

 

The Teaching Kitchen Collaborative (TKC), with support from the David R. Clare and Margaret C. Clare Foundation, is offering a scholarship to expand culinary and nutrition education in underserved communities. The scholarship will provide three organizations with two years of TKC membership, travel support for up to two individuals per organization to attend the Annual Members Meeting, and full access to TKC resources, networks, and tools to enhance teaching kitchen programs.

 

Did You Know?


Research shows that school garden programs boost children's nutrition awareness and vegetable consumption. A study found 43% of school principals cited improved academic instruction as a key benefit, with gardens used for science, environmental studies, and nutrition. Participation in gardening has also been linked to increased vegetable intake, likely due to greater access and reduced reluctance to try new foods.







Join Our Network!


Learn more about new sources and connect with other farm to school advocates!



 
 
 
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