Kids and kale? It's true. Research shows that kids who have the opportunity to grow their own fruits and vegetables are more likely to try them and like them! So envision a vibrant garden at a school with youth digging in the soil, tending their plants, learning about science, math, and literature, tasting zesty salad greens, and learning new recipes. And then they sit down for school lunch and enjoy some local greens from a nearby farm! This is farm to school. Growing young people's interest and understanding of farming, food, and health, supporting local food systems and building vibrant communities.

We think of farm to school as an integrated program that leverages school gardens for growing and learning, the cooking classroom for tasting and eating, enjoying local food in the school cafeteria, and making the connection back to the land through farm field trips.

Explore all of these ideas and more by visiting our Extension Farm to School website. Are you working with little ones? Visit the Farm to Early Childhood Education website.