Resource Library
Wondering about how to grow radish or fund your school garden? You can check out some farm to school resources compiled below for more information!
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Suggest a ResourceUSDA Farm to School Resources
Procurement, Local Food Purchasing, Local Food Recipes & Taste Test, Farmer & Food Partners, Sustainable Engagement, Healthy, Local Food Environment, Training, Community Engagement, Policy, Education, Classroom Curriculum, Hands-on Cooking, Hands-on Gardening
The USDA has provided services and resources to implement, sustain, and maintain your farm to school program.
Learn more here.Selling Local Food to Schools: A Resource for Producers
Procurement, Local Food Purchasing, Farmer & Food Partners
Learn more about selling local foods to schools by reading USDA's recently updated fact sheet!
Learn more here.NCDA Farm to School Toolkit
Procurement, Local Food Purchasing, Local Food Recipes & Taste Test, Farmer & Food Partners, Sustainable Engagement, Healthy, Local Food Environment, Education, Classroom Curriculum
This toolkit highlights nine fruits and vegetables available through the NC Farm to School program.
Learn more here.FoodCorps Lesson Plans
Education, Classroom Curriculum, Hands-on Cooking, Hands-on Gardening
The FoodCorps Lessons include hands-on experiential activities to engage kids in learning about healthy food.
Learn more here.How to Plan a Student-Centered Farmer Visit to Your School
Sustainable Engagement, Healthy, Local Food Environment, Community Engagement, Education, Classroom Curriculum
The Center for Ecoliteracy has created a guide for schools to plan and host student-centered visits from local farms.
Learn more here.Square-Foot Seeds
Sustainable Engagement, Healthy, Local Food Environment, Education, Hands-on Gardening
This activity from NC State's Plants for Human Health Institute uses math to figure out proper plant spacing.
Learn more here.Garden Maintenance Timeline
Sustainable Engagement, Healthy, Local Food Environment, Education, Hands-on Gardening
Use this timeline, created by NC Cooperative Extension, to help keep your garden growing.
Learn more here.Procuring Local Foods
Procurement, Local Food Purchasing, Local Food Recipes & Taste Test, Farmer & Food Partners
The USDA Procuring Local Foods for Child Nutrition Programs Guide provides an overview of federal procurement principles.
Learn more here.Removing Barriers to USDA GAP Programs
Procurement, Local Food Purchasing, Farmer & Food Partners
This toolkit was designed for growers as a resource of information about USDA GAP Audit Programs, and specifically address GroupGAP.
Learn more here.Project S.O.W.: Food Gardening with Justice in Mind
Sustainable Engagement, Healthy, Local Food Environment, Education, Classroom Curriculum, Hands-on Cooking, Hands-on Gardening, Racial Equity
Project S.O.W. (Seeds of Wonder): Food Gardening with Justice in Mind, created by Cornell University, is a food gardening curriculum for educators who work with young people ages 13-19.
Learn more here.North Carolina Alliance for Healthy School Meals Glossary
Procurement, Local Food Purchasing, Farmer & Food Partners
This glossary shares terms that are commonly discussed in regard to school meals. There are also helpful notes to help you explore a term or program further.
Learn more here.Cultivating Equality: Delivering Just And Sustainable Food Systems In A Changing Climate
Racial Equity
This report was conducted by CARE USA and Food Tank.
Read the report hereTen Lessons for Talking About Race, Racism, and Racial Justice
Racial Equity
The Opportunity Agenda shares advice on having entry-point conversations based on race using research, experience, and the input of partners from around the country.
Learn more hereThe (R)Evolution of Indigenous Foods
Racial Equity
Through chef Sean Sherman's research and culinary experience of thirty years, he has uncovered and mapped out the foundations of the indigenous food systems and where its revitalization belongs in the future.
Watch hereHow to Talk to Kids About Microaggressions
Racial Equity
EmbraceRace has created a resource to help adults learn how to address microaggressions among the youth.
Learn more hereYou Can Do It! Talking to Young Children About Race
Racial Equity
This Embrace Race action guide highlights how we can get comfortable talking about race with young children.
Learn more hereAddressing Structural Racism with Children
Racial Equity
Kimberly Narain suggests four ways to approach structural racism with children based on her book The Cycle of a Dream: A Kid’s Introduction to Structural Racism in America.
Learn more hereBuilding inclusive communities and strong Indigenous youth
Racial Equity
EmbraceRace, alongside Indigenous Vision, has created a call to action that highlights culturally affirming approaches to youth development.
Read more hereLiberation on Land
Racial Equity
Soul Fire Farm’s Liberation on Land Skillshare Video Series features Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and other people of color farmers and land stewards.
Learn more hereNative American Heritage Month
Racial Equity
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has a list of resources for individuals and organizations to celebrate Native American Heritage Month.
Learn more hereNative Farm to School Guide: Connecting Traditional Foods, Stories, Language, and Community
Racial Equity
The Native Farm to School Guide: Connecting Traditional Foods, Stories, Language, and Community focuses on what food sovereignty can look like inside community education and school systems.
Learn more hereEnvironmental Justice and Indian Country
Racial Equity
First Nations Development Institute teamed with Nonprofit Quarterly to present a series of articles on environmental justice in Indian Country and ways that philanthropy might more effectively support this work.
Learn more hereDig In! Standards-Based Nutrition Education from the Ground Up
Education, Classroom Curriculum, Hands-on Cooking, Hands-on Gardening
The curriculum uses ten inquiry-based lessons that engage 5th and 6th graders in growing, harvesting, tasting, and learning about fruits and vegetables.
Learn more hereElementary Educators’ Guide to Container Gardening
Education, Classroom Curriculum, Hands-on Gardening
This guide teaches educators the basics of container gardening with kids, including container garden design, planting tips, and curriculum connections.
Learn more hereUSDA Farm to Child Nutrition Planning Guide
Procurement, Local Food Purchasing, Local Food Recipes & Taste Test, Farmer & Food Partners, Sustainable Engagement, Healthy, Local Food Environment, Training, Community Engagement, Policy, Education, Classroom Curriculum, Hands-on Cooking, Hands-on Gardening
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service’s Farm to Child Nutrition Planning Guide directs you through questions to consider when starting or growing a farm to school, farm to child care, or farm to summer program.
Learn more hereGarden Toolkit
Sustainable Engagement, Healthy, Local Food Environment, Training
NC Cooperative Extension's Garden Toolkit provides information on tools that make gardening a little easier and a lot of fun.
View resource hereThe Edible Schoolyard Project Resource Library
Sustainable Engagement, Healthy, Local Food Environment, Education, Classroom Curriculum, Hands-on Cooking, Hands-on Gardening
Discover free lesson plans and materials created by the Edible Schoolyard Project's program and partners.
View resources hereNorth Carolina Ag in the Classroom
Education, Classroom Curriculum, Hands-on Gardening
Ag in the Classroom provides lesson plans that teachers can use to connect their students to the farm and garden through science, math, literacy, and social studies.
View lesson plans hereStrawberries in Schools
Education, Classroom Curriculum, Hands-on Gardening
Growing strawberry gardens provide rich spaces for students and teachers to explore concepts relevant to their curricula in a hands-on experiential way.
Learn more hereWatercolors from the Garden
Education, Classroom Curriculum, Hands-on Gardening
Inspire young gardeners' creativity by making your own watercolor paints from plant parts harvested from the garden.
Learn more herePurchasing Outside the Box: Local Procurement Beyond the Apple
Procurement, Local Food Purchasing, Farmer & Food Partners, Sustainable Engagement, Healthy, Local Food Environment, Community Engagement
This USDA webinar shares creative ways to procure and incorporate local foods into school meals.
Watch hereTrack It! How to Make Your Farm to School Efforts County
Procurement, Local Food Purchasing, Farmer & Food Partners, Sustainable Engagement, Community Engagement
This USDA webinar discusses the importance of tracking local food purchases.
Watch hereLet it Grow! Sowing Knowledge in Edible Gardens
Sustainable Engagement, Healthy, Local Food Environment, Education, Hands-on Gardening, Covid-19
This USDA webinar focuses on growing edible gardens in schools.
Watch hereUSDA Farm to School Planning Toolkit
Procurement, Local Food Purchasing, Sustainable Engagement, Healthy, Local Food Environment, Community Engagement, Education, Classroom Curriculum, Hands-on Gardening
The Farm to School Planning Toolkit guides you though questions to consider and helpful resources to reference when starting or growing a farm to school program.
Read more hereHow Racism in Early Life Can Affect Long-Term Health
Sustainable Engagement, Healthy, Local Food Environment, Racial Equity
Excessive adversity activates biological reactions that can lead to lifelong problems in physical and mental well-being.
Learn more hereA Guide to Smart Snacks in School
Procurement, Local Food Purchasing, Local Food Recipes & Taste Test, Sustainable Engagement, Healthy, Local Food Environment
Find information on nutrition standards for foods and beverages sold to students outside of the School Meals Programs on the school campus during the day.
Learn more hereFive Things Youth Can Do To Help Pollinators
Sustainable Engagement, Healthy, Local Food Environment, Education, Classroom Curriculum, Hands-on Gardening
No matter our age we can all help protect pollinators. The Pollinator Partnership created a guide to explain how youth can help pollinators.
Read more herePollinator Partnership Resources
Education, Classroom Curriculum, Hands-on Gardening
The Pollinator Partnership has curriculum and educational tools that help with teaching about pollinators.
Learn more hereHow Youth Gardens Can Support Social Emotional Learning
Education, Classroom Curriculum, Hands-on Gardening, Covid-19
Gardens and outdoor spaces are ideal places for kids to participate in group activities, interact with different age groups, celebrate diversity, learn to monitor and manage their emotions, practice empathy toward themselves and others, and develop foundational strategies that will help them navigate the world as adults.
Read more hereUSDA Reducing Food Waste at K-12 Schools
Sustainable Engagement, Healthy, Local Food Environment, Community Engagement, Education, Classroom Curriculum
K-12 schools have a special role in not only reducing, recovering, and recycling food waste on their premises but also in educating the next generation about the importance of food conservation and recovering wholesome excess food for donation to those less fortunate.
Six Food Sovereignty Principles
Racial Equity
This article provides Climate Justice Alliance’s six tenets of food sovereignty.
Read more hereRacial Justice in Education
Racial Equity
Learn more about racial justice in education. Racial justice, or racial equity, goes beyond “anti-racism.”
Read more hereDesigning a Sensory Garden
Education, Classroom Curriculum, Hands-on Gardening
With the right design, plants, and accessories, you can plant an engaging garden that will delight all your senses!
Read more herePoe Health: Garden to Kitchen
Procurement, Local Food Recipes & Taste Test, Sustainable Engagement, Healthy, Local Food Environment, Education, Hands-on Cooking, Hands-on Gardening
How-to tips for growing and cooking your own produce for the Poe Center for Health Education.
Learn more herePoeFit videos
Sustainable Engagement, Healthy, Local Food Environment, Education, Hands-on Cooking, Hands-on Gardening
Explore the many cooking and nutrition, gardening, and physical activity videos created by the Poe Center for Health Education!
Watch herePoe & Grow Garden
Education, Classroom Curriculum, Hands-on Gardening
Did you know that the North Carolina Science Curriculum supports gardening education for grades K - 6? Because gardens engage students by providing a dynamic environment to observe, discover, experiment, nurture and learn, the Poe Center for Health Education has compiled this site to help you establish a new or enhance an existing garden.
Learn more hereGood Food Impact Hub
Procurement, Local Food Purchasing, Sustainable Engagement, Healthy, Local Food Environment
The Good Food Impact Hub, created by the Center for Good Food Purchasing, is a suite of online tools that assist large food service institutions like school districts calculate the health, environmental and economic value of adopting more sustainable procurement practices.
View resource hereEdible Education Curricula by The Edible Schoolyard Project
Education, Classroom Curriculum, Hands-on Cooking, Hands-on Gardening
Edible Schoolyard lessons for learning in school or at home.
Read more hereChef Ann Foundation Procurement Resource
Procurement
The Chef Ann Foundation has crafted a resource that explores farm to school's involvement in procurement.
View resource hereProvide Shade and Shelter from the Weather
Sustainable Engagement, Healthy, Local Food Environment, Education
Physical comfort is centrally important to the success of outdoor learning programs. Each part of the country has its own climate, with differing needs for shade and shelter, but it is possible to set up comfortable outdoor classrooms in any part of the country.
View resource hereAn Annotated Bibliography on Structural Racism Present in the U.S. Food System, Ninth Edition
Racial Equity, Covid-19
This annotated bibliography provides current research and outreach on structural racism in the U.S. food system for the food system practitioner, researcher, educator, and advocate.
View resource hereInter-Faith Food Shuttle Growing Garden Classroom Curriculum
Education, Classroom Curriculum, Hands-on Cooking, Hands-on Gardening
This curriculum, designed by Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, aims to show effective methods for sharing garden responsibilities across elementary school grade levels and get every grade level engaged in the garden through 30-minute lessons!
View the curriculum hereRooted Wisdom Podcast: Memories and Songs That Shape Home
Racial Equity
This podcast episode bridges the wisdom of an Indigenous Land Steward and a Food Equity Educator to discuss the memories and songs that shape our homes.
Listen here2019 Farm to School Census
Procurement, Sustainable Engagement, Education
The 2019 Farm to School Census data includes characteristics such as SFA size, eligibility rates for free and reduced-price lunch, and urbanicity, as well as information on local food use, procurement, school gardens, expenditures, and staffing.
View census hereUSDA Youth in Agriculture
Sustainable Engagement, Healthy, Local Food Environment
The USDA Youth in Agriculture website provides curated tools and resources aimed at empowering the next generation of agricultural leaders. They have several tools covering topics such as, how to help teachers in the classrooms, scholarships, internships, and career opportunities.
View website hereGrowing School Gardens: Coast to Coast Virtual School Garden Tour and Activities
Sustainable Engagement, Healthy, Local Food Environment, Education, Classroom Curriculum, Hands-on Cooking, Hands-on Gardening, Covid-19
Through this virtual tour, hosted by the School Garden Support Organization Network, students will be meeting with other students in diverse communities to engage in hands-on learning, growing healthy food for themselves and their communities, and becoming caretakers of their local environments.
View the guide hereReckoning with Race Curriculum
Racial Equity
This platform is for anyone who wants to reckon with the history of race, understand your and your institution's place in it, and image paths toward racial equity.
View resource hereAbout National Native American Heritage Month
Racial Equity
What started at the turn of the century as an effort to gain a day of recognition for the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S., has resulted in a whole month being designated for that purpose.
Learn more hereBooks That Build Indigenous Power
Racial Equity
Each of these books has connected readers in ways that are reflective of the struggles that Indigenous Peoples have encountered within their history and at present.
Read the article hereFinding, Improving, and Sequencing High-Quality Garden Lessons
Education, Classroom Curriculum
This guide highlights promising practices shared by various School Garden Support Organizations from across the county on how to develop a lesson sequence to support student learning, find the lessons you’re looking for, and adapt or improve up them.
View resource hereFreshFarm FoodPrints Virtual Lessons
Education, Classroom Curriculum, Hands-on Gardening, Covid-19
The FoodPrints Curriculum is free lessons for Pre-K through 5th grade that have been sequenced according to seasonal topics and adaptable for a range of uses from embedded programming, to supplementing classroom education, to garden-based learning.
View lessons hereFinding School Garden Lessons
Education, Classroom Curriculum, Hands-on Cooking, Hands-on Gardening
Finding relevant school garden lessons can be overwhelming! The School Garden Support Organization Network has compiled a list of resources to help teachers of all grade levels find what they need!
View resource hereKids Gardening - Create a School Garden Planting Calendar Lesson Plan
Education, Classroom Curriculum, Hands-on Gardening
Creating a planting calendar for your school garden is an excellent way to help your students understand how weather and climate impact the life cycle of plants. If you are planting edibles, it also provides a glimpse into the complexities of our food system.
View resource hereJohns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future FoodSpan Lesson Plans
Sustainable Engagement, Healthy, Local Food Environment, Policy, Education, Classroom Curriculum
FoodSpan is a free, downloadable curriculum that provides high school students with a deep understanding of critical food system issues, empowers them to make healthy and responsible food choices, and encourages them to become advocates for food system change.
View resource hereCaptain Planet Foundation’s Project Hero
Education, Classroom Curriculum, Covid-19
Project Hero is a free online platform that offers a standard-oriented and authentic project-based learning experience for empowering and engaging students to take action for their local endangered species and ecosystems. When you register for a free account as an educator, you gain access to additional teaching resources, tips, and opportunities, including eligibility for grant funds to support your class’s projects.
View resource hereMental Health Issues Facing the Black Community
Racial Equity
Racism is a public health crisis. Learn more about the mental health issues facing the Black Community.
Learn more.USDA Database of GAP-Certified Farms/Companies
Procurement, Local Food Purchasing, Farmer & Food Partners, Sustainable Engagement, Community Engagement
Take a look at this list of companies that meet USDA GAP & GHP Acceptance Criteria.
View resources here.NC SweetPotato Commission Curricula
Education, Classroom Curriculum, Hands-on Cooking, Hands-on Gardening
The North Carolina SweetPotato Commission collaborated with North Carolina Ag in the Classroom to develop classroom-ready lesson plans that meet common core standards set by the U.S. Department of Education, featuring sweetpotatoes for grades K-12 including a section focusing on Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS).
View resources here.NAAEE Environmental and Outdoor Education: Key to Equitably Reopening Schools
Covid-19
Community-based environmental and outdoor education programs can help to address these dire needs and discrepancies through innovative partnerships and educational investments and policies.
View guide here.Farm to School: Advancing Racial Equity
Racial Equity
At the intersections of our Food System and our Educational System, both steeped in a legacy of structural racism and both evidencing numerous racial disparities, farm to school work has the potential to positively impact students, families, schools, farmers, and whole communities.
View resource here.Green Schoolyards America COVID-19 Outdoor Learning
Covid-19
Repurposing outdoor spaces is a cost-effective way to reduce the burden on indoor classrooms while providing fresh air, hands-on learning opportunities, and the health benefits associated with increased access to nature.
View resource here.Farm to School: Building Capacity
Sustainable Engagement, Healthy, Local Food Environment, Community Engagement
Why long-term capacity building in farm to school? Farm to school work goes beyond locally sourced meals or fun lessons in the garden. Sharing the benefits of farm to school can help build support and allies.
View resource here.Racial Equity in Farm to School and Farm to Early Care Education Poster
Racial Equity
Check out this informational poster on Racial Equity in F2S and F2ECE.
View poster here.ASAP Growing Mind’s Equity, Inclusion & Anti-Bias Resources
Racial Equity
Children begin to develop racial awareness and bias at a very young age. In an effort to create learning environments that are more diverse, inclusive, and reflective of our culturally diverse society, farm to school programs should follow equity-minded best practices.
View resources hereNational Young Farmers’ Coalition Racial Equity Toolkit
Racial Equity
This toolkit does not detail a universally applicable pathway toward resolving pervasive racialized oppression; it is an initial resource for people who are overwhelmed by the breadth and depth of the problem and need help determining how to start dismantling racism in their communities.
View the toolkit.National Museum of African American History and Culture’s Talking About Race Resources
Racial Equity
Talking about race, although hard, is necessary. The National Museum of African American History and Culture provides tools and guidance to empower your journey and inspire conversation.
View resources here.Getting Started: Georgia Farm to Early Care and Education Guide
Procurement, Local Food Recipes & Taste Test, Education, Hands-on Cooking, Hands-on Gardening
The purpose of this guide, developed by Georgia Organics, is to cover the most important components of Farm to ECE and give a few tips to get started including procuring local food, engaging parents and community members and the basics of gardening, cooking and tasting with young children.
View resource here.BIPOC in Agriculture and Food: A Resource Guide
Racial Equity
View this open source database of black, indigenous people of color in the agriculture and food spaces across the country.
View here.Embrace Race
Racial Equity
Building an online community to discuss and share best practices for raising and caring for kids, all kids, in the context of race.
View resources here.Teaching for Change
Racial Equity
A fabulous selection of children’s books on racism and other topics.
View books here.GETTING TOGETHER FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE
Racial Equity
This is the website of Paul Kivel, antiracist educator, writer, and activist. The website offers a wide range of resources, including exercises, tools, articles, videos, and more.
View resources here.RACE EQUITY TOOLS
Racial Equity
Designed to support individuals and groups working to achieve racial equity, the site offers tools, research, tips, curricula and ideas for people who want to increase their own understanding and help those working toward justice.
View resource here.Indigenous justice for environmental movements
Racial Equity
This brand new tool from The Catalyst Project supports non-Indigenous climate and environmental movements to align with Indigenous organizing and with Indigenous sovereignty.
View resource here.CORE RACIAL EQUITY TOOLKIT
Racial Equity
This is a Level 1 toolkit that offers a basic and comprehensive approach to understanding how racism, white supremacy, and racial equity work. This resource is provided by the Center for Environmental Farming Systems CORE Team.
View toolkit here.Dismantling Racism Works Web Workbook
Racial Equity
Dismantling Racisms' web-based workbook gathers many racial equity resources in one spot! If you would, please continue to credit dRworks if and when you use our material.
View resources here.Updated Racial Equity Tool Glossary
Racial Equity
This site offers tools, research, tips, curricula and ideas for people who want to increase their own understanding and to help those working toward justice at every level – in systems, organizations, communities and the culture at large. An updated set of key terms for racial equity is now available.
Learn more hereGreenhouse Manual: An Introductory Guide for Educators
Education, Classroom Curriculum, Hands-on Gardening
United States Botanic Garden, the National Association for Appropriate Technology and City Blossoms developed this freely available manual in response to an expressed need to help guide, would-be greenhouse managers and educators, as their schools explore ways to build new infrastructure or reinvest in existing greenhouse facilities.
View resource hereSEEDS Gardening Activities for Kids
Education, Hands-on Gardening
Gro More Good Learning Activities is a series of 72 free lessons focused on the four seasons of a garden. Each activity is fun, hands-on and perfect for getting your kids outside, exploring and learning. The activities are based on early childhood education best practices and developed in partnership with the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center.
View resource hereBig Green at Home - Virtual Education Resources
Education, Classroom Curriculum, Hands-on Gardening, Covid-19
Big Green at Home compiles garden education resources for educators and families including standards-aligned curriculum material and weekly activity newsletters.
View resources hereFarm to School / ECE & COVID-19 Resource Hub
Covid-19
The National Farm to School Network has launched a new page on their website dedicated to making it easier for you to find all of the resources, information, and news you need to support your community food systems work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
See more hereVideo Lessons by FoodCorps AmeriCorps Service Members
Procurement, Local Food Recipes & Taste Test, Education, Classroom Curriculum, Hands-on Cooking, Hands-on Gardening
Take a look at these amazing video lessons created by FoodCorps Americorps Service Members.
Learn moreNC Local Food Councils - Community Food Strategies
Sustainable Engagement, Community Engagement
More than 35 food councils now exist across North Carolina covering 40 of the 100 counties. These food councils are mostly organized by county, and some are more regional.
View resource here.NC K—12 Culinary Institute (Training and Recipes)
Procurement, Local Food Recipes & Taste Test, Sustainable Engagement, Training
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, School Nutrition Services Section, in cooperation with Chef Cyndie Story and K-12 Team, has developed The NC K-12 Culinary Institute which features face-to-face and online instruction for school nutrition personnel to enhance numerous healthy dining objectives.
Procuring Local Foods Resources
Procurement, Local Food Purchasing, Local Food Recipes & Taste Test, Farmer & Food Partners
Interested in local food purchasing? No worries, we’ve got you covered!
Download ResourceGrade Level Specific School Garden Lesson Plans
Education, Classroom Curriculum
The NC State University Plants for Human Health Institute has created and adapted school garden lesson plans and unit plans that fully integrate with North Carolina state education standards. Some of our lesson plans were contributed by NC classroom teachers.
View lesson plans here.