This process brings the community into the schools, and brings the schools into the community, so that the Farm to School model becomes an adventure in community building and empowerment.
Focus on Agriculture in Rural Maine Schools (FARMS) has
been a collaborative project started by a handful of
parents, working with schools, farms, physicians and
the Lincoln County Economic Development
office.
Gradually
FARMS has grown to include many diverse sectors of
community life including health care providers,
resource specialists, school administrators, food
service workers, students, and local food
producers.
Karen Kleinkopf, Co-founder of FARMS discusses her
experiences developing this farm to school
organization:
My name is Karen Kleinkopf. I am a co-founder of FARMS, Focus on Agriculture in Rural Maine Schools. More fundamentally, I am a mom and a teacher. It wasn't until I combined the two roles that I understood the need to feed all our children healthy nutritious food.
Reading about the worsening epidemic of obesity, I became very concerned about the health consequences of continuing the status quo in terms of school nutrition. Health experts are advising us that our children will be the first generation to have a life expectancy shorter than their parents. As concerning as this statistic is, a source of optimism is that relatively simple changes in diet and exercise patterns can reverse this trend.
I first became energized to focus on this issue when in 2004 I saw my then three year old daughter, Lily, enjoying homemade locally grown root soup. I asked myself if she can enjoy the health benefits of this kind of food, why can't it be available to all children? Amy Winston, Heather Wolfe and I began to meet and develop a vision for this project. Our mission became educating students about good nutrition and the role of local farms in promoting healthy, sustainable communities. To promote and facilitate farm to institution purchasing. FARMS is dedicated to food security and to rebuilding a healthy food system.
In the fall of 2006, after our second successful Harvest Lunch, we held a FARMS Forum at Great Salt Bay Community School. Over 175 community members attended. In January, 2007, we held a FARMS Roundtable at Nobleboro Central School to continue this discussion. When I was asked to speak, I shared a story about my oldest daughter, Emma. When she was in Kindergarten, she asked me, "Mom, when will we have local vegetables in school? Just tell me mom, will I be in 3rd grade, 5th, 8th or 11th?" The evening of the roundtable I stated that I was hopeful that the work we would do tonight would allow my daughter and all the students to enjoy locally grown foods as soon as possible.
A few months later, this will be a reality. Union #74 will have a 15 week pilot program this fall featuring local apples, corn, potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes, and carrots served regularly in the school lunch program.
FARMS is hoping to expand our programs to other schools. We need financial help to make it possible. Morris Farm is hosting Tour de Farms for the ninth year. This year they have decided to make it a fundraiser for FARMS. Please help us get the word out to ride your bike in support of FARMS.
My name is Karen Kleinkopf. I am a co-founder of FARMS, Focus on Agriculture in Rural Maine Schools. More fundamentally, I am a mom and a teacher. It wasn't until I combined the two roles that I understood the need to feed all our children healthy nutritious food.
Reading about the worsening epidemic of obesity, I became very concerned about the health consequences of continuing the status quo in terms of school nutrition. Health experts are advising us that our children will be the first generation to have a life expectancy shorter than their parents. As concerning as this statistic is, a source of optimism is that relatively simple changes in diet and exercise patterns can reverse this trend.
I first became energized to focus on this issue when in 2004 I saw my then three year old daughter, Lily, enjoying homemade locally grown root soup. I asked myself if she can enjoy the health benefits of this kind of food, why can't it be available to all children? Amy Winston, Heather Wolfe and I began to meet and develop a vision for this project. Our mission became educating students about good nutrition and the role of local farms in promoting healthy, sustainable communities. To promote and facilitate farm to institution purchasing. FARMS is dedicated to food security and to rebuilding a healthy food system.
In the fall of 2006, after our second successful Harvest Lunch, we held a FARMS Forum at Great Salt Bay Community School. Over 175 community members attended. In January, 2007, we held a FARMS Roundtable at Nobleboro Central School to continue this discussion. When I was asked to speak, I shared a story about my oldest daughter, Emma. When she was in Kindergarten, she asked me, "Mom, when will we have local vegetables in school? Just tell me mom, will I be in 3rd grade, 5th, 8th or 11th?" The evening of the roundtable I stated that I was hopeful that the work we would do tonight would allow my daughter and all the students to enjoy locally grown foods as soon as possible.
A few months later, this will be a reality. Union #74 will have a 15 week pilot program this fall featuring local apples, corn, potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes, and carrots served regularly in the school lunch program.
FARMS is hoping to expand our programs to other schools. We need financial help to make it possible. Morris Farm is hosting Tour de Farms for the ninth year. This year they have decided to make it a fundraiser for FARMS. Please help us get the word out to ride your bike in support of FARMS.