Thursday, September 5, 2024
Available Grants!
Rise Gardens Education Grant: The Rise Gardens Education Program empowers schools and educational institutions to foster hands-on learning and sustainable food education through accessible hydroponic gardening systems and supplies. Each month, selected schools, homeschooling families, or educational organizations receive a Triple Garden or one of five Mason Jar Classroom Kits to enrich their curriculum with hydroponic gardening.
Walmart Spark Good Local Grants: Each year, Walmart U.S. stores, Sam’s Clubs and Distribution Centers award local cash grants ranging from $250 to $5000. These local grants are designed to address the unique needs of the communities where stores operate. This round of applications is open until October 15.
Salad Bars to School: Salad Bars to Schools (SB2S) is a granting program that provides schools and districts with salad bar equipment and support, such as Cambro bars, camchillers, and technical assistance.
Whole Kids Bee Grants: These grant programs allow for schools and non-profit organizations to receive support for educational beehives and bee programming so students can observe bees up close and learn about the vital role these pollinators play in our food system. New applicants can apply for a $1,500 monetary grant or equipment grant for an indoor observation hive
New! Wisconsin Farm to School Recognition Program
The goal of this program is to gain recognition and celebrate your Farm to School (F2S) accomplishments. This will help showcase the amazing F2S work being done in your school building. There are four levels of recognition with a bonus level for F2S champions! Recognition levels are awarded based on completion of activities in the three core areas of F2S: procurement, school gardens, and nutrition and agricultural education. Any Wisconsin school may register to participate using the Wisconsin Farm to School Recognition Program Sign-up Form. Each school must sign-up individually and awards are given at the school level. There is no limit to the number of schools that can participate in one district.
The Wisconsin F2S Recognition Program will debut in October 2024 and run through May 2025 with award levels determined in May 2025. The four levels of recognition are: Broccoli Sprout School, Broccoli Seedling School, Broccoli Floret School and Broccoli Crown School. Once all levels have been achieved, a bonus level of Broccoli Flowering School will be available. Prizes will be awarded for each level of completion. Schools may continue building on their previous activities to “level up” starting June 2025 through the 2025-26 school year. To learn more about the program, an Informational Webinar will be available on October 1, 2024, from 1:30-2:30 PM.
Celebrate National Farm to School Month with the Great Apple Crunch!
October is National Farm to School month, celebrating food education, school gardens, and healthy, local foods for kids! Anyone can celebrate - schools, early care and education sites, farms, communities, etc.! Celebrate by planning a fun event (like an Apple Crunch -see more below), spreading the word about your F2S program via social media, newsletters or signage, or explore new resources like Harvest of the Month. Don’t forget to share your activities with us at DPIF2S@dpi.wi.gov!
The Great Apple Crunch encourages healthy eating and supports farm to school (F2S) and other local food purchasing initiatives throughout the Midwest. It is an opportunity for K-12 schools, early care and education sites, hospitals, colleges and universities, farms, state and local agencies, non-profit organizations, local businesses, groups, and even households to “crunch” into a locally- sourced, Wisconsin apple. Held annually during F2S month in October, this year’s event will take place October 10, 2024. Register Today!
Schools may request a visit from F2S staff for help with taste testing during the Great Apple Crunch. Request a visit between October 1 and October 31, 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 crunch!
Farm Technology Days Recap
The DPI F2S Team hosted a booth at Farm Technology Days in Cadott, WI on August 14-15. This was a great opportunity to connect farmers with information to sell to schools and to get the word out about F2S initiatives throughout WI. The F2S team connected with over 100 individuals in 2 days! Attendees traveled from around the state with varying farm sizes and operations. We look forward to continuing to promote and grow WI F2S!
Produce Processing Trainings- August 2024
The DPI F2S team conducted Produce Processing Trainings at three separate locations in August 2024. Participants learned knife skills and techniques to process fresh produce for use in School Meal Programs.
On August 15, Chef Jeff Mallegni assisted with the Coulee Region back-to-school training session held at West Salem High School. Over 100 School Nutrition Team members from 18 surrounding school districts attended a Produce Processing demonstration. Jeff was assisted by the Coulee Region AmeriCorps F2S service member, Nicole Eshelman.
On August 19, Jeff Mallegni and David Schneider visited the St. Mary’s Springs Academy School Nutrition Team, providing direct training for eight staff members. And on August 20, Jeff and David visited the De Pere School district for back-to-school training. 24 School Nutrition employees received Produce Processing training and Kitchen lead staff were provided training for use of the district’s new tilt skillet. The tilt skillet demonstration included basic operating and cleaning procedures and a staff meal was prepared utilizing local ground beef and beef patties!
You can request a training visit by filling out the Produce Processing Training Interest Form. December 2024, and April/May 2025 are currently open and available for scheduling a training session at your district.
Adopt a Dairy Cow
Forget the guinea pig. How about adopting a 100-pound dairy calf for your classroom mascot by joining the Adopt a Cow program? Don’t worry about finding a pen big enough to hold her. The photos and stories you will receive about her life on the farm will make her “come alive” for your students! The best part? It is FREE! Learn more and register at Discovery Dairy - Adopt a Cow! Registration is due September 15.
Kick off the School Year with Wisconsin Harvest of the Month!
September is a busy month with children back in school across the state. It is also harvest season for many Wisconsin-grown food crops such as apples, pears, cranberries, corn, squash, pumpkins, potatoes, and wild rice. Your district may be growing some of these foods in their school garden!
Celebrate Farm to School (F2S) with Wisconsin Harvest of the Month. Join this statewide campaign that encourages kids and families to eat more fruits and vegetables. Each month schools showcase one seasonal, Wisconsin-grown fruit or vegetable. Students taste, explore, and learn about the importance of incorporating these meal components into their diets. The DPI has a collection of Recipes specifically designed to feature Wisconsin produce in school meal programs and the Local Foods Database can help connect with farmers growing produce in your area!
AmeriCorps Service Member Training Recap
The 2024 AmeriCorps Farm to School Program Orientation Training Session was held at the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station located in Amherst Junction, Wisconsin for three days on August 20-22, 2024, as an in-person session. The training sessions were held in the main conference room and outside in a classroom setting with natural surroundings. The service members were housed in beautiful log cabins located in the forest along Sunset Lake.
The training program is designed to prepare and support the service members for their year of duties in the Farm to School Program at their host sites. Pre-orientation training sessions were held virtually on August 15 and 19, 2024. Attending the training were twelve AmeriCorps service members from different areas across Wisconsin. Some of the subjects covered were AmeriCorps history, data and record keeping, Wisconsin Farm to School Recognition Program, conflict management, Wisconsin Farm to School Activities, Apple Crunch, nutrition education, Local Foods Database, connecting with farmers, connecting with school nutrition professionals, and leadership and capacity building.
Service members were issued AmeriCorps uniform clothing and supplies for use during their service hours. Guest speakers from the DPI School Nutrition Department Farm to School team were David Lee Schneider, Brittany Zerbe, and Jeff Mallegni. The AmeriCorps Farm to School Program for the State of Wisconsin is lead by Director Kara Ignasiak.
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
Jill K. Underly, PhD, State Superintendent
201 West Washington Avenue
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 266-3390 • (800) 441-4563