The Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program forms cooperative agreements with non-profit and tribal organizations to expand technical assistance, including farm to school and farm to CACFP institutes. These cooperative agreements will increase the capacity of government agencies, tribal organizations, agricultural producers, schools and other partners to increase local food procurement and agricultural education in child nutrition programs.
The organizations awarded cooperative agreements have a history of meaningful engagement with our partners. These projects are authorized under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (NSLA) (42 USC 1769(g)).
To learn more about individual projects, select one of the current cooperative agreement links.
- Bringing the Farm to School Through New Connections (Producer Resources)
In cooperation with FNS, the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) and National Farm to School Network (NFSN) will build on the current Bringing the Farm to School (BTFS) training program. Updates to the current BTFS program will improve support and training for agricultural producers who want to sell their products to nearby schools. BTFS connector events will connect producers with school buyers.
Visit the Bringing the Farm to School Through New Connections webpage.
- Farm to School Institute Adaptation Program
The Shelburne Farms Institute for Sustainable Schools, in collaboration with FNS, will deliver the Farm to School Institute Adaptation Program. Based on a professional learning model created by Vermont FEED, a partnership of Shelburne Farms and NOFA-VT, the program supports state teams in their efforts to adapt, develop, and launch Farm to School Institute programs in their states. State Farm to School Institute programs will help whole-school teams grow sustainable farm to school programs through action planning, coaching, peer networking, and skill building.
Visit the Farm to School Institute Adaptation Program webpage.
- FARMWISE: Farm to CACFP Institute and Learning Collaborative
In cooperation with FNS, Association of State Public Health Nutritionists (ASPHN) will administer the first Farm to Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Institute and Learning Collaborative, called FARMWISE, to advance Farm to CACFP efforts.
Visit the FARMWISE webpage.
- Fundamentals of Farm to School for Government Agencies
In cooperation with FNS, the National Farm to School Network (NFSN), will create and launch Fundamentals of Farm to School for Government Agencies (Fundamentals). Fundamentals will develop and implement a training program and resources for people working in statewide institutional settings (e.g., state government agencies, state-level networks, extension departments) who provide farm to school expertise for organizations and individuals at the community level.
Visit the Fundamentals of Farm to School for Government Agencies webpage.
- Innovation in School Food Purchasing
In cooperation with FNS, the Urban School Food Alliance (USFA), seeks to improve the procurement practices for school districts of all sizes in both urban and rural areas. Project efforts are focused on redesigning the procurement process to put power in the hands of school nutrition program administrators through training and business process improvements to build better partnerships with suppliers and reinvent how the school meal marketplace does business.
Visit the Innovation in School Food Purchasing webpage.
- Racial Equity Learning Lab
To further USDA’s commitment to equitable food systems, National Farm to School Network, in partnership with FNS, is implementing the Racial Equity Learning Lab, a facilitated learning program for farm to school partners working to address historical racism in the American food system.
Visit the Racial Equity Learning Lab webpage.
- Supporting Indigenous Food Sovereignty through Farm to School
FNS is partnering with the Intertribal Agriculture Council to conduct crucial dialogues with American Indian/Alaskan Native youth, parents, and producers on traditional foodways and farm to school. The cooperative agreement will develop findings on how FNS can better support Indigenous Food Sovereignty through farm to school.
Visit the Supporting Indigenous Food Sovereignty through Farm to School webpage.