The South Dakota Farm to School Network (referred to as "the network") is an open group of individuals and organizations whose work or personal interests align with one or more of the three components of farm to school: local procurement, youth gardens, and/or local foods education. In the Summer of 2023, strategic planning was completed for the network. Continue reading for the results of the strategic plan and opportunities to engage in the network.
Mission
A thriving South Dakota Farm to School Network supports the development of place-based farm to school (referred to as “F2S”) activities and the growth of awareness of what farm to school is and its benefits. The Network connects child nutrition and education professionals, producers, and support organizations. Through the development of practical guidance, educational resources, effective communications, and strategic direction, the South Dakota Farm to School Core Team serves as the glue to grow and strengthen the Farm to School Network.
Vision
We envision a South Dakota where all youth are nourished by locally grown foods and enriched by strong connections with agriculture. Across the state, producers flourish through abundant economic opportunities with schools and other institutions. Schools and other institutions work together to serve local foods and provide quality learning experiences in food and agriculture. By leveraging and combining South Dakota’s deeply rooted agricultural knowledge, creativity, and self-sufficiency with robust farm to school activities, youth are connected to their local food system and South Dakota producers feed their communities.
Network Structure
- SD Farm to School Core Team: Four to six people from state agencies and community organizations who have capacity to provide administrative support and guidance to strengthen and grow F2S activities across South Dakota. The current Core Team includes staff from SDSU Extension, the South Dakota Department of Education Division of Child and Adult Nutrition Services, the South Dakota Specialty Producers Association, and Dakota Rural Action.
- SD Farm to School Network: A group of people and organizations interconnected by their desire to engage in farm to school activities that can interact with each other in regular, organized, and accessible ways.
- Working Group(s): Temporary groups formed to accomplish a specific activity or task. The working groups include three to eight volunteers from across stakeholder groups. Each workgroup is led by a member of the Core Team.
Opportunities to Engage
Anyone with interest in F2S is welcome to engage in the network on an occasional or consistent basis. Sign up for email communications on the form below for up-to-date information on the following opportunities.
- Newsletter: Sign up below and receive a monthly newsletter from the Core Team.
- Quarterly Network Meetings (Virtual): Meetings include updates, announcements, networking, and educational presentations.
- Regional Gatherings: Hosted on occasion across the state, often in conjunction with other conferences or events. Gatherings may include, for example, field trips to sites implementing F2S, networking events, and/or trainings.
- Trainings: Hosted on occasion across the state and virtually. Trainings are designed around the SD Farm to School Resource Guide, the Beef and Bison to School FAQ, and the Bringing the Farm to School Agricultural Producers Training.
- Annual SD F2S Gathering: An event that connects producers, child nutrition professionals, support organizations, and other stakeholders for learning and networking.
- Working Groups: Those interested are invited to volunteer for a work group. These work groups exist to accomplish a task to serve the network. They may change over time as projects are completed or started.
- Outreach Work Group – Goal: Develop a communications toolkit with resources to help schools and other child nutrition programs communicate about and promote their individual F2S programs.
- F2S Gathering Work Group – Goal: Plan and host the annual SD F2S Gathering.
- Training Work Group – Goal: Develop and help implement F2S trainings.
- Support Work Group – Goal: Convene child nutrition professionals in peer-to-peer learning groups to identify both the needs and opportunities to move F2S forward in their community, as well as in the state.
Partner Resources
Many state and national organizations provide resources and technical assistance related to F2S. The following links will take you to organization websites.
Interested?
Are you interested in receiving updates from or participating in the South Dakota Farm to School Network? Submit your information on the form below to express your interest and get added to the communications list.
