Arkansas Farm to School Month
Arkansas Farm to School Month
Every year in October we celebrate Arkansas Farm to School Month across the state. This recognition is part of nationwide efforts to connect schools, early childhood education sites, and other organizations with farms to bring local, healthy food to children. The National Farm to School Network first started this trend in 2010 by having National Farm to School Month designated by Congress. Since then, more and more states have joined in with celebrations.
Arkansas has been formally recognizing Arkansas Farm to School Month since 2014 when then-governor Mike Beebe first proclaimed October as Arkansas Farm to School Month.
There are so many ways that you can get involved in Arkansas Farm to School Month to help us bring awareness and celebrate! Don’t forget to share with us what activities you have planned. To help schools, farms, and individuals spread the news, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture created a media and promotion toolkit that included resources, graphics, language, and examples to promote Arkansas Farm to School activities.
Print the Farm to School Month poster by clicking the button below.
2024 – Cultivating Knowledge. Nurturing Futures.
1. Celebrating Farm to School October 14-18, 2024
The Farm to School and Early Childhood Education Program through the Arkansas Department of Agriculture is dedicating the week of October 14-18, 2024 to celebrate all things Farm to School! This week-long celebration highlights the incredible connection between our schools and local agriculture. Join us for a week filled with exciting activities that are designed to ignite curiosity and foster a deeper understanding of where our food comes from. From hands-on activities that allow students to use their imagination with natural elements to interactive sessions on the importance of seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, your students will embark on a journey that connects them to the rich tapestry of our local agriculture. These activities not only promote healthy eating habits but also cultivate a sense of environmental stewardship and community engagement. Join us in celebrating Farm to School as we empower the next generation to be conscientious consumers and champions of sustainable, farm-fresh goodness. Let’s cultivate the seeds of knowledge and nurture them for a future of lifelong appreciation for the food on their plates and the farmers who make it all possible!
Print the Celebrating Farm to School poster for your classroom by clicking the button below.
2. Cultivating Green Schools: Ecodrum Composter Giveaway Contest
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has proclaimed October as Farm to School Month in Arkansas. To celebrate and promote conservation practices in education, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Farm to School Program is excited to announce the Cultivating Green Schools: Ecodrum Composter Giveaway Contest!
This contest offers public K-12 schools in Arkansas the chance to win a state-of-the-art Ecodrum Composter Model 410, valued at $21,999.99, complete with delivery, setup, and training.
About the Ecodrum Model 410:
The Ecodrum Model 410 is designed to provide a hands-on learning experience in composting, making it an invaluable educational tool for students. Key features of this innovative composter include:
- User-Friendly Operation: The system is automated, adding oxygen and rotating the compost daily, ensuring a simple and clean operation that is easy to maintain.
- Energy Efficiency: Powered by a 1hp 220v motor, the composter operates with minimal electricity, making it cost-effective.
- Durability and Longevity: Molded from corrosion-free polyethylene and equipped with a heavy-duty drive and stainless steel temperature probe, the Ecodrum 410 is built to last.
- Environmental Benefits: The unit reduces odors, pathogens, and the risk of ground and water contamination, while also maintaining composting activity even in cold weather.
- High-Quality Compost: Produces nutrient-rich compost that can be used as a soil enhancer, contributing to earth-friendly agricultural practices.
This is more than just a composting system—it’s a tool for fostering environmental stewardship among students, offering them valuable insights into eco-friendly practices.
Contest Details:
- Prize: Ecodrum Composter Model 410 (valued at $21,999.99) including delivery, setup, and training.
- Duration: October 1 to October 31, 2024 (Farm to School Month).
We invite all eligible schools to enter and showcase how they plan to use the Ecodrum Composter to enhance their conservation efforts. This contest is a unique opportunity to bolster your school’s green initiatives and make a significant positive impact on both your school community and the environment.
Contest Eligibility Requirements:
To be eligible, applicants must be a public K-12 school in Arkansas with a demonstrated commitment to conservation. Schools must have at least one of the following programs in place:
- Active School Garden 🌱
- Composting Program ♻️
- Energy Conservation Program ⚡
- Environmental Education Program 🌍
- Food Waste Reduction Program 🍎
- Recycling Program ♻️
- Agricultural Conservation Program 🚜
- Livestock Conservation Management Program 🐄
- Water Conservation Efforts 💧
Deadline to enter: 11:59 P.M. on Thursday, October 31, 2024. Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity to make a lasting difference in your school and beyond!
2023 Event
2022 Event
In 2023, we gathered at Forest Park Elementary School to celebrate farm to school month. We heard from Secretary of Agriculture, Wes Ward and National Farm to School Network’s Senior Director of Programs and Policy, Sunny Baker. The winners of the 2023 Arkansas Grown School Garden of the Year Contest were announced and attendees also had the opportunity to participate in a classroom taste test.
In 2022, we continued “Growing Together”, embracing all aspects of Farm to School!
To celebrate Farm to School Month, we gathered together at Pinnacle View Middle School to announce the winners of the 2022 Arkansas Grown Garden of the Year Contest.
2021 Event
In 2021, we connected schools, farms, and the community to local food!
To connect students to local food, we encouraged schools to participate in the Great Farm to School Transformation and transform their garden space for the opportunity to receive a certificate and free consultation with the Arkansas Farm to School Team.
We also hosted a very successful Virtual Farm Tour with Midwest Dairy to visit a dairy farm in Bentonville, Arkansas! Over 5,000 people attended the event on Zoom, which inspired the farmers to name one of their baby cows Zoom too!
2020 Event
In 2020, we celebrated local! From the farmers who grow our food, to the educators and parents who teach children about gardening, cooking, and nutrition, we together, created a strong local food system. #ARF2SMonth #CelebrateLocal
To Celebrate Local, we ate local, grew local, and learned about local food.
Another way we Celebrated Local was by joining the Arkansas Department of Agriculture and Heifer USA’s virtual farm field trip.
2019 Event
In 2019, we hosted the Arkansas Farm to School Celebration at the Capitol. Partners, teachers, legislators, and students attended the event.
Governor Asa Hutchinson proclaimed October as Arkansas Farm to School Month, the Arkansas Grown School Garden of the Year Contest winners were recognized, and a roundtable of booths and information concluded the event.
Also, farm to school champions Ally Mrachek, Child Nutrition Director at Fayetteville Public Schools, and Maegan Brown, Child Nutrition Manager at Conway Public Schools, visited Senator Cotton in Washington D.C. to share about the importance of farm to school. Similarly Destiny Schlinker, Arkansas Program Associate Director at FoodCorps, met with Senator Boozman to talk about the Kids Eat Local Act.
2018 Event
In 2018, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson proclaimed October as Arkansas Farm to School Month. During the official ceremony, the Governor also took time to honor and celebrate the 2018 Arkansas Grown School Garden of the Year Contest winners.