Teaching our youth about where their food comes from seems like a no-brainer, right? Teachers for any grade can incorporate farm to school lessons into their classroom, whether it be the Sweet Potato Math lesson, dissecting plants and discussing plant morphology, or even starting a school garden! Check out this page for lesson ideas and information on Farm to School!
If you have any questions about Farm to School, or just want to talk with someone about your ideas, please feel free to contact McKenzie Fox, KHC’s Farm to School Coordinator, at mckenzie@kyhortcouncil.org.
TASTE TESTING MINI-GRANTS ARE BACK!
With special funding from the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, the Kentucky Farm to School Network is pleased to offer a third round of grant funding for taste testing activities for the 2023-24 school year. This project will provide funding to implement taste testing activities in Kentucky schools that allow students to try Kentucky-grown produce, increase their understanding of where food comes from, and make connections between students and farmers.
The grant period will be from September 2023 until the end of May 2024 and at least six (6) mini-grants of $1,000 each will be awarded through this project. Information on applicant eligibility and eligible expenses as well as a link to the application form can be downloaded below. Applications due August 31, 2023 at 11:59pm ET.
Lesson Ideas
Kentucky havest of the month
In each month of 2021, KHC will be releasing lesson ideas for our Harvest of the Month curriculum. Come back each month to find new ideas focused on a new fruit or veggie!
Other resources for lessons
Kentucky Agriculture and Environment in the Classroom – Lots of great lesson ideas, information on educator workshops, KY Ag Poster and Essay Contest, and mobile school program.
National Agriculture in the Classroom – Games, virtual farm tours, e-Learning resources, ag stats and facts, grant opportunities, and more!
Kentucky Farm Bureau Classroom Lesson Plans – Lots of lesson ideas, broken up by grade levels, plus Agriculture: The Real Game of Life lesson.
KDA Kentucky Farm to School Curriculum, 9-12 grades – Lesson ideas grouped by the following categories: knowing your local farmer, grains, veggies, fruits, oils, milk, and protein. Download PowerPoints for lessons off of the KDA website here.
Nourish Curriculum Guide – Connect food and sustainability with this curriculum guide which includes seven learning activities and student handouts
Farm to School Month – October
KHC Coloring contest
Annual coloring contest for students grade 5 and below. While the contest is held in October, coloring pages can be used year-round!
Other resources for f2s month
National Farm to School Network, F2S Month Resources – Farm to School month posters, coloring pages, stickers, F2S month toolkit, and more
School Gardens
grants to fund school gardens
Check out this Funding Resource List from KY Center for Ag & Rural Development!
KADF Community Gardens Grant – up to $2,500, must have 1:1 match, see project application guidelines here
Application due the last Friday of each month. Send to:
Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy
404 Ann Street
Frankfort, KY 40601
ATTN: Project Application
Annie’s Grants for Gardens – up to $3,000, no match required, opens in the fall
Bonnie Plants 3rd Grade Cabbage Program – 3rd grade teachers can request FREE cabbage plants, lesson plants available, and scholarships awarded at the end of the year to students who grow the biggest cabbage (deadline around March 1st each year)
Kids Gardening Grants – applications due in February, $500-$1000 awards
other resources
The Edible Schoolyard Project – recorded webinar trainings, tons of great lesson ideas including Cooking with Curiosity units, lessons adapted for e-learning, and progression lessons
Slow Food USA School Garden Network – school garden research, curriculum for K-5, Ark of Taste program, Plant a Seed kits ($25) and more.