Farm to School and school gardens in Jefferson County

Connecting schools with local food producers and supporting garden-based education are cross-cutting Extension themes. Activities connect the cafeteria, classroom and community and help Oregon kids, farmers and communities thrive!

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What is Farm to School?

Oregon harvest brings us together

Farm to School connects Oregon farmers, ranchers, seafood harvesters and food processors with school cafeterias, early child care centers and summer meal sites. Oregon kids eat more Oregon foods. They get to learn how food is produced through school gardens, field trips to farms, ranches and fishing communities and grower visits to the classroom.

People and organizations all around Oregon – schools, businesses, nonprofits, agricultural producer associations, public agencies and many others – have been working together to get more Oregon foods on the lunch line and more kids engaged in food- and garden-based education.

Farm to School and school garden programs are unique to the places and people who run them.

Farm to School isn’t a “program” you sign up for, receive standardized materials and instructions, and build in a one-size-fits-all way. Farm to School is a big and broad vision, backed by interdisciplinary practices, policy and research.

Get going on Farm to School today!

Photo by Heidi Noordijk (Cropped from original)

What we do

Oregon State University is an integral partner in Oregon's comprehensive Farm to School program. Our programs and people bring expertise, energy and leadership to this statewide movement.

Statewide Partnerships

OSU Extension and campus programs collaborate with local organizations to implement Farm to School activities. We also serve on state-level committees to support the sustainability of Oregon Farm to School programs and funding.

Farm to School

Photo by Mary Stewart

How Farm to School works

Research shows that Farm to School and school gardens may improve:

Access: Increase participation in the school meal program to improve access to nutritious meals.
Nutrition: Increase consumption of vegetables and fruits to improve nutrition and health outcomes; Improve knowledge and attitudes about agriculture, food, nutrition and the environment.
Environment: Promote environmental stewardship.
Equity: Promote food justice by supporting healthy and equitable community food systems.
Economy: Support economic development by increasing market opportunities for farmers, ranchers, fishers, local food processors, local food distributors and food manufacturers.

Learn more

Featured resources to explore

Growing Healthy Kids (in English)

Garden-themed, nutrition education curriculum and videos best aligned to Common Core Standards for students grades 2nd-3rd.

Oct 2020 | Online resource

Oregon Harvest for School videos (in English)

The Oregon Department of Child Nutrition Programs and OSU Extension’s Food Hero campaign teamed up on a 50-part video series on Oregon Harvest for Schools, which educates students on healthy, Oregon food.

Oct 2019 | Online resource