Each year, we celebrate the Farm to School movement in the first week of October. Any school or early childcare center can participate in Mississippi Farm to School Week and National Farm to School Month. As part of the week-long celebration, the Mississippi Farm to School Network Challenges School Districts and Early Childcare Centers to give farm to school a try: buy a local food to serve on cafeteria trays or do an activity in the school garden.

The Challenge offers three routes:

Procurement Challenge: Highlight a local menu item throughout the week. You can invite a farmer to visit, visit a local farm, or host a farmers market to further engage your students in Farm to School. MS Farm to School Network can help connect you to farmers and facilitate the procurement process if you need it. Prizes for participating in this Challenge will include promotional items like posters, stickers, and other items related to local Procurement.

Garden Challenge: Kickstart your garden by planting some seeds or doing an activity or lesson in the garden! Prizes will include seeds and other garden supplies. If possible, the MS Farm to School Network team will be happy to come out and help with garden work.

Supreme Challenge (Procurement & Garden): Participate in both the Procurement and the Garden Challenge to become a Farm to School champion!

The registration deadline is September 22nd, and materials and digital resources will be sent out in mid- to late September—don’t miss out!