Farm to school - connecting kids to North Dakota agriculture

By Scout Nelson

In North Dakota, a state renowned for its agricultural contributions, the gap between farm life and the younger generation is growing. The Farm to School program aims to bridge this divide by integrating agricultural education into schools.

This initiative not only educates students about the origins of their food but also supports local farmers by incorporating their produce into school meals.

The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction (NDDPI) is a key player in the National Farm to School Network, collaborating with the North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA) and partnerships like the North Dakota State University Extension to ensure schools have access to the latest resources and comply with federal regulations.

Farm to School enriches education through various hands-on activities that range from producer-led presentations to field trips and gardening projects. A notable initiative funded by the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program involved distributing hydroponic tower gardens and microgreens kits to schools.

These projects allow students to engage directly with growing processes, understanding the science behind agriculture while incorporating the produce into their diets, either in the school cafeteria or at home.

The Hydroponic Tower Gardens initiative in North Dakota involved fifty teachers growing various produce in their classrooms, serving as practical learning tools across science, math, and marketing disciplines. Some projects donated produce to local food banks.

The microgreens kits project engages students with the cultivation of pea and broccoli microgreens, culminating in a Farm to School Day event where students interact with a local producer and explore a special microgreens salad bar.

Beyond educational benefits, the Farm to School program fosters connections between local food producers and schools, enhancing the local economy and potentially creating jobs.

Recent efforts to expand the program have seen new producers joining and increased discussion around the initiative, highlighted by USDA's National Farm to School staff's participation in the Local Foods Conference in Bismarck.

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