Registration Now Open for Taking Root: Montana Farm to School Conference
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
By Allyson Hagen
406-444-3160
Contacts: Allyson Hagen, OPI, 406-444-3160, ahagen2@mt.gov
Katie Bark, Montana Team Nutrition Program, 406-994-5641
Registration Now Open for Taking Root: Montana Farm to School Conference
(Bozeman, MT) The Office of Public Instruction and its Montana Team Nutrition Program along with Montana State University and Learning by Nature are hosting the first-ever Taking Root: Montana Farm to School Conference August 16 -17, 2012 at Montana State University in Bozeman.
Through workshops and field trips, participants will explore a wealth of Farm to School topics throughout the cafeteria, classroom and community, network with a variety of stakeholders, and be inspired by the diverse ways Farm to School has taken root across Montana. Teachers, administrators, school foodservice professionals, students, parents, and community partners from early childhood -12th grade, ranchers and farmers are encouraged to attend.
Farm to School (F2S) aims to improve child nutrition by helping children understand and experience where their food comes from. It incorporates healthy, farm-fresh food in school meals and snacks, provides increased opportunity for garden-based learning, provides agriculture education across the curriculum, and strengthens community-wide connections to support Montana's local farmers and children’s well-being.
This conference will highlight:
School Gardening: Tips for making it work in Montana and school garden field trips (PreK-12)
Keeping it Local: Tips for incorporating local foods in child nutrition programs and school fundraisers
Food = Learning: Teaching kids to make healthy food choices and meet science and math education standards
From Garden to School Cafeterias: Ideas for successful service learning projects and agricultural education lessons (PreK-12)
Local Food Purchasing Toolbox: Ensuring food safety and staying within your budget
Policy Update: National Farm to School Network
Community: Cultivating strong partnerships
Day 2 Optional Field Trip: School & Community Gardens Tour sponsored by Learning by Nature
Registration is now open. Early bird registration fees are: Day 1—$35.00; Day 2 (field trip)—$15.00. After July 17, the registration fees will increase to: Day 1—$45.00; Day 2—$25.00.
Renewal units from OPI, MT Early Childhood Project, and School Nutrition Association are available; 7.5 hours for August 16 and 3.5 hours for August 17, 2012.
For more information and to register, visit: www.montana.edu/cs/conferences/farmtoschool or contact Katie Bark, Program Director, Montana Team Nutrition Program (406) 994-5641 or kbark@mt.gov.
Montana Team Nutrition works with educators, school administrators, school food service managers, parent groups and community members to provide training and technical assistance centered on implementing student wellness through school-based programs, like school meal programs, nutrition education and physical activity. Located at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana Team Nutrition is part of the Office of Public Instruction School Nutrition Programs and funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
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