Thursday, July 11, 2024
Come Visit the DPI F2S Team at Farm Technology Days!
Wisconsin Farm Technology Days is an annual event, showcasing the latest advancements in farming technology and practices. The event provides attendees with hands-on experiences, educational opportunities, and access to cutting-edge equipment and solutions in the farming industry.
This year’s event runs August 13-15, and is hosted at Close Farms and Country Fest, 24105 County Hwy S, Cadott, WI 54727. The F2S team’s booth number is PPO7, located in the Progress Pavilion, and is listed under Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Stop by at the booth for a visit and check out some F2S resources. Farmers/producers can join the Wisconsin Local Food Database to enter for a chance to win some F2S swag!
NEW Resource: SOP for Accepting School Garden Produce
Utilize the new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Accepting School Garden Produce to help ensure produce grown in a school garden or hydroponic grow tower can be safely incorporated into your school meal programs. The template includes procedures for harvesting, receiving, monitoring, and recordkeeping. We hope this resource helps school nutrition staff feel comfortable using hyper-local produce, grown right on school campus!
School Nutrition Summer Training (SNST) - Farm to School (F2S) Courses
Join the DPI School Nutrition Team for SNST 2024 at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College in Green Bay, WI. Gear up for the Summer Olympics and get ready to Go for the Gold with our revamped breakout sessions, inspiring guest speakers, and a special Keynote Session featuring the Kwik Trip Public Relations liaison.
Can't make it in person? No problem! We will offer select courses virtually August 6th, 8th, 13th, and 15th, for added flexibility. Course titles specific to F2S include: Fork Farms Hydroponic Towers, Funding for Farm to School, Building Sustainable F2S Programs with AmeriCorps F2S, Leadership in F2S Programs and Combining Education with School Gardens, and Buying Local, Choose What Works Best for You. For additional details, course schedules and course descriptions for both events, visit the School Nutrition Summer Training Webpage.
Now Accepting AmeriCorps Member Applications for the 2024-2025 Service Year!
AmeriCorps is a national service program that engages over 80,000 members in service each year to solve pressing national problems through direct service and by mobilizing millions of volunteers for the organizations they serve. The AmeriCorps F2S Program provides an innovative approach to building healthy communities, and is looking for dedicated service members who are interested in:
- Increasing students’ access to local foods
- Inspiring kids to grow their own food
- Teaching students about nutrition
- Empowering youth to make healthy choices
- Gaining support for F2S programming
To apply for an AmeriCorps F2S service position for the 2024-2025 service year, please fill out the online application. The application includes a complete list of available positions and host site locations. The program year runs August 15, 2024 through August 14, 2025. We recommend getting your application in as soon as you can! For more questions about the program, and how serving with the program might fit into your career path, please contact Kara Ignasiak.
The Great Lakes Regional Food Business Center
Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems is one of twelve organizations selected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a Regional Food Business Center. These centers will help more farm and food businesses access new markets and navigate federal, state, and local resources. In September 2022, USDA announced $400 million available to fund this initiative.
Between July 2023 and June 2028, the Great Lakes Midwest Regional Food Business Center will receive $20 million to launch and coordinate this center with key partners in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin. For regional tribal support, the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin’s Department of Agriculture and Food Systems (DAFS), in partnership with the Great Lakes Intertribal Food Coalition (GLIFC), will serve Indigenous farmers and businesses. Over $10 million will be distributed directly to technical assistance providers and eligible business owners. Small- to mid-sized farmers and historically marginalized food and farm business owners throughout Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin will be eligible to participate. Watch for more information as funding becomes available.
Register for the Wisconsin Cucumber Crunch!
Celebrate local foods by participating in the Wisconsin Cucumber Crunch! Pick any date this summer and have staff and students crunch into local cucumbers or another local, seasonal vegetable. Find a farmer in your area (look for the Wisconsin Cucumber Crunch logo next to producers who grow cucumbers) or utilize produce from your school garden for your Crunch event!
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 Department of Public Instruction
Jill K. Underly, PhD, State Superintendent
201 West Washington Avenue
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 266-3390 • (800) 441-4563
For questions about this information, contact Jeff Mallegni (608) 266-2364