What's Happening with the Farm to School Movement in Vermont?
Vermont schools are embracing a wide range of Farm to School experiences. In order to illustrate how Farm to School programming could work in early care and K-12 schools, we chose five examples from across the state. They are diverse not only in experiences but also in terms of the size of the student population, grade level, socioeconomic representation, and approaches to Farm to School. The interviewers spoke with teachers, parents, community members, administrators, food service directors, and kitchen managers, and found many paths to success. These evolved into case studies, which serve as tangible inspiration in recognizing there is not only one path to integrating a Farm to School program at a school or early care site. Each case study represents a unique journey, aligned with its own school’s priorities.
We invite you to read the studies below. To download and print each case study, visit the link beneath each.
These case studies are a project of the Vermont Farm to School Network, University of Vermont Extension, and Vermont FEED.
Bennington County Head Start
The Bennington County Head Start (BCHS) is an important hub of services for families with young children in the southwestern corner of Vermont operating at various sites, including the area’s federally funded Early Head Start program for very young children. Its mission: to provide comprehensive, community-based education and health and social services that foster personal growth, well-being, and lifelong learning opportunities for the families it serves. BCHS encourages full participation in programs through respectful, trusting relationships that recognize the inherent dignity and individuality of all family members.
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Bellows Free Academy Fairfax
Bellows Free Academy (BFA) Fairfax sits on 15 acres within the agricultural Franklin County. A vibrant school farm flourishes with two bountiful vegetable gardens, an apple orchard, berry bushes, a greenhouse, a pollinator garden, plus two newly added honeybee hives. Students move about the farm tilling, weeding, and planting with a strong sense of place. The creative integration of agriculture into the school’s K-12 curriculum fosters deep connections with neighbors, with the local agricultural community, and among members of the school community itself. The Abbey Group Food Service Management Company (FSMC) runs the school meal program and supports school-wide efforts by serving fresh foods harvested from the school garden and purchased through the Green Mountain Farm Direct food hub (when available).
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Hardwick Elementary School
Hardwick Elementary School sits in a town of just under 3,000 residents, which is often referred to as the “Gateway to the Northeast Kingdom.” Steeped in a rural community culture and agrarian heritage, it is also at the heart of Vermont’s local food renaissance. The elementary school sits downtown with little outdoor space of its own, but has a strong commitment to Farm to School; education for sustainability; place-based, experiential learning; and collaboration with farmers, businesses, local organizations, and parents. This 15-year-old program persists through changes in staff and administration because of strong community support. Experienced teachers help build the team by collaborating with new teachers who may be hesitant to start new programming. There is no pressure to participate, but rather a warm invitation and a “meet them where they are” mentality.
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Milton High School
Milton High School bustles with activity. Students munch on healthy snacks from the cafeteria salad bar and discuss the school’s garden plans during their breaks. The suburban town, where the Lamoille River lazily flows into Lake Champlain, is vibrant and growing. The community’s commitment to the school reflects the school’s dedication to innovation and creating great students and staff.
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Putney Central School
Putney Central School sits on 13 acres surrounded by 160 acres of rolling woods. It’s nestled next to a historic village that supports maple sugar houses, apple orchards, vegetable and fruit farms, and artisans. Putney’s eclectic culture permeates the elementary school and integrates community values into the curriculum and daily life of students. It has had an active parent and teacher group over the years that has built a garden and invested in providing local food for the students and school community.