NEWS | Ohio Farm to School Workshops set for October, November

Ohio State Extension

When it comes to the school cafeteria, it’s not often that “farm-fresh food” comes to mind.

But there’s no reason why it shouldn’t, said Carol Smathers, Ohio Farm to School coordinator for Ohio State University Extension. OSU Extension is the outreach arm of The Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.

The benefits stretch beyond fresh fare on the lunch plate, Smathers said. Farm to School programs, which connect local farms with educational institutions, provide opportunities for students to learn more about agriculture and local foods while also strengthening local food systems, she said.

To help spread the word and potentially expand Farm to School programs throughout the state, the Ohio Farm to School program is planning five regional workshops in October and November.

The workshops are geared to anyone interested in Farm to School programs, Smathers said, from farmers, producers and distributors to parents, teachers and school or early care center administrators.

The sessions at each workshop differ, Smathers said. Some presentations will discuss grants available to support Farm to School programs; others will focus on local successes, for example. Anyone can sign up for any or all of them. Preregistration is required.

Details and online registration links are available at farmtoschool.osu.edu/events/2016-workshops/.

The workshops will be held:

Oct. 4 in Columbus at the university’s Ohio Farm Bureau and Nationwide 4-H Center, 2201 Fred Taylor Drive, 2:30-7 p.m. The program is free and dinner is included thanks in part to workshop sponsor Farm Credit Mid-America.
Oct. 13 in Massillon at the R.G. Drage Career Technical Center, Morgan Hall and Conference Center, 2800 Richville Drive SW, 12:30-5 p.m. Free.
Oct. 14 in Perrysburg at the Hilton Garden Inn Toledo, 6165 Levis Commons Blvd., 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Registration is $30; lunch is included.
Oct. 20 in Yellow Springs at Antioch College Wellness Center, 240 E. South College St., 2:30-7 p.m. Free.
Nov. 10 in Cincinnati. Details will be added to the Ohio Farm to School workshop website when available.

For more information, contact Amy Fovargue at fovargue.1@osu.edu or 740-398-8397.