Harvest Highlights - June 2024

FREE, F2S Promotional Materials!

Jazz up your cafeteria space and promote your F2S activities with the new F2S promotional materials, featuring the Wisconsin F2S logo! Available materials include:

Breakfast and Lunch Menu Signage (12”x17”, dry erase)
Producer Highlight Posters (12”x17”, dry erase)
Window Clings (4”x4”; 3”x5”; 5”x9”)
Paper Stickers (3”x3”)
Vinyl Stickers (3”x3”)
Magnets (3”x6”, 4”x4”)

Place your order using the Promotional Items Order Form. Materials are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

F2S Taste Testing!

Improve students’ confidence and excitement for fresh, local produce with a taste testing event. Schools may request a visit from F2S staff for help with taste testing of local produce. Request a visit between July 8 and August 2, 2024, by emailing DPIF2S@dpi.wi.gov. F2S specialists will coordinate one or two school visits based on availability. These visits could include help preparing samples, handing out samples to students, and free F2S swag to use as incentives for kids who try a bite! Don’t miss this opportunity to enrich your summer feeding program and inspire a love for healthy eating among students!

Register for the Wisconsin Cucumber Crunch!

For access to recipes, nutrition education, and promotional materials visit the Celebrate Summer Webpage and do not forget to Register Your Event! Registrants will receive Cucumber Crunch stickers, while supplies last. If you have questions, please contact DPIF2S@dpi.wi.gov.

Wisconsin School Garden Day Visits

The sixth annual Wisconsin School Garden Day was celebrated on May 16, 2024! Wisconsin School Garden Day honors and celebrates educators, students, families, and community leaders who have made garden-based education a reality and an asset in Wisconsin communities.To celebrate, the WI Farm to School team visited Mauston, Montello, and Oconto Falls School Districts. The USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), Dr. Jill Underly, Secretary Romanski, and F2S and Farm to Early Care (ECE) staff at DPI, DATCP, DHS, and Rooted were able to attend one or more visits!

District highlights include:

• A full meat processing lab and class for students at Mauston School District!
• Delicious foods featuring local ingredients such as spinach smoothies, energy bites (aka “Donkey Dung” ;), and fresh baked quiche at Montello School District!
• Local farm produced popcorn was prepared and enjoyed in the Food Science class by high school students at Oconto Falls School District

USDA Montello Group Photo

Producer Highlight: Spring Creeks Cattle Company

Located in the heart of Crawford County, Wisconsin, Spring Creeks Cattle Company follows traditional farming values with great dedication. Founded in the 1980s, this family-owned enterprise has remained consistent in its commitment to raising top-quality cattle and fostering deep community connections.

Operated by the Mitchell Family, Bob and his three sons, Bart, Matt and Scott, the farm is an example of collaborative effort and shared passion through three generations. Each person plays a crucial role, from tending to crops and managing the cattle. Their devotion is evident in their responsible husbandry and sustainable farming practices.

Specializing in a cow/calf operation, Spring Creeks Cattle Company manages a diverse herd including Limousin and Angus genetics, ensuring a blend of lean muscle and marbling. Customers can enjoy a variety of products, from whole quarters to individual cuts and even beef snacks, available at local farmers markets and stores. Participating in the Local Food for Schools (LFS) grant, Spring Creeks Cattle Company sold products to multiple school districts in Wisconsin. To connect with other producers who sold through the LFS, view the Eligible Beneficiary List.

Beyond providing premium beef products, what sets this family farm apart is their commitment to transparency and community engagement. They actively participate in industry associations and youth programs such as the Grant County Cattlemen's Association, the Limousin Association of Wisconsin, and the North American Junior Limousin Association.

Visitors are always welcomed with open arms, invited to tour the farm and witness firsthand the commitment and care that goes into every aspect of their operation. For those seeking not just beef, but a connection to the land and the people who nurture it, Spring Creeks Cattle Company stands as a star example of agricultural excellence. Connect with them on Facebook, the Local Foods Database, or visit their website to learn more and support local farming.

Benefits of School Gardens by David Lee Schneider

School gardens offer a variety of benefits including education, health, and social development. Educational benefits occur in outdoor classrooms where students can engage in hands-on learning across subjects such as science, math, and environmental studies. Students learn about plant biology, ecosystems, and sustainable agricultural practices. Studies have shown that involvement in school garden programs can improve test scores and overall academic achievement.

Health benefits occur because children who participate in school gardening are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables, promoting healthier eating habits. Gardening involves physical activity, helping combat sedentary lifestyles and reducing the risk of childhood obesity. Working in a garden can reduce stress and anxiety, contributing to better mental health. Social and emotional benefits occur in gardening projects that require students to work together, fostering teamwork and communication skills.

Caring for plants teaches students responsibility and patience. School gardens can become community projects, involving parents, local businesses, and volunteers, which can strengthen community bonds. Students learn about sustainable practices, such as composting and water conservation.

Gardens provide an opportunity for children to connect with nature, fostering a sense of environmental stewardship. The interactive nature of gardening can increase students' engagement and motivation to learn. Gardening allows for creative expression through the design and care of garden spaces. School gardens are valuable tools for fostering holistic development in students, promoting academic skills, physical health, social skills, and environmental consciousness.

The Pollination Process by David Lee Schneider

Pollen can be transferred from anthers to stigmas by wind, water, animals, insects (bees, butterflies, beetles), birds (hummingbirds), and bats.

Self-pollination occurs when the same flower or plant fertilizes the ovules within the same flower (autogamy) or between flowers on the same plant (geitonogamy). Cross-pollination occurs when pollen is transferred from one plant to another of the same species. This genetic mixing often results in healthier, more resilient offspring. Pollen grains land on a compatible stigma and travel down the pollen tube to the ovary, where fertilization occurs. This leads to the development of seeds and fruit. The surrounding ovary often grows into a fruit, which aids in seed dispersal.

Job Opportunity!

Wello is a non-profit located in Green Bay, WI whose purpose is to co-create community conditions that are fair and just to drive health and well-being for all. Wello is adding a new position of Food Systems Specialist to their team to support growing of well-being-based food system initiatives through Cultivating Community. Check out the Job Description for this exciting opportunity!

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Jill K. Underly, PhD, State Superintendent
201 West Washington Avenue
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 266-3390 • (800) 441-4563