Farm to School Program Looking for Farms to Supply Local Foods to Schools
CCE Harvest NY's Regional Farm to School Coordinator Program is working with NYS Department of Education to support schools participating in the USDA Agriculture and Marketing Services Local Food for Schools Cooperative Agreement Program. Local Foods for Schools is a USDA funded program intended to help schools deal with the challenges of supply chain disruptions brought on by the pandemic. The program is designed to strengthen the food system for schools by helping to build a fair, competitive, and resilient local food chain, and expand local and regional markets with an emphasis on purchasing from historically underserved producers and processors. Schools must use funds received through this program to purchase unprocessed or minimally processed domestic, locally grown foods from local producers, small businesses, and socially disadvantaged farmers/producers for use in the school meals programs. In NY State the program is administered by NYS Department of Education. Cornell Cooperative Extension - Harvest NY is the technical assistance provider.
If you would like your farm or food business information shared with schools, please complete the survey linked below by Monday, November 14th. The survey asks about your business, the products you grow, raise, produce, or distribute, and what part(s) of the state your products are available, and should take about 5 minutes to complete.
Survey link: https://cornell.ca1.qualtrics....
Questions about the program can be directed to Cheryl Bilinski at cbt32@cornell.edu
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Upcoming Events
Planning For Immigration Enforcement At Your Farm
May 20, 2025
Ramped-up immigration enforcement is spreading fear and resulting in family and workforce disruptions across the farm landscape. Farms and employees should take action by making a plan for what to do in case of an immigration enforcement action at your farm. Planning is critical to avoid the worst outcomes. Learn about available resources and hear from the experience of crisis support leaders!
Chainsaw Safety & Forestry BMP's
June 13, 2025
Belmont, NY
Perfect for beginners or experienced users needing a refresher. We'll cover safety features and basic maintenance of the modern saw and learn kickback prevention techniques. Participants will be able to try on various PPE and learn ergonomic practices. Interested participants will learn to safely start up, throttle up, and turn off a saw. You may bring our own saw if you choose, there will be no cutting in this class.
FAMACHA Workshop at Alfred State College
June 14, 2025 : FAMACHA Workshop at Alfred State College
Alfred, NY
Join Cornell Cooperative Extension for a morning of classroom learning, hands-on FAMACHA and 5 Point Check practice, and a pasture walk at Alfred State College's teaching farm to learn about putting IPM to work on pasture using evasive grazing techniques. An exam will be provided, and students passing the exam will receive program certification, including a FAMACHA Card.