Mississippi Harvest of the Month
Harvest of the Month is a Farm to School program that connects children and communities with seasonal, Mississippi-grown foods through monthly educational resources.
Each month features a different Mississippi-grown fruit or vegetable and includes ready-to-use activities, recipes, book recommendations, lessons, and promotional materials. These free resources help early care and education providers, K–12 educators, child nutrition professionals, and community partners bring seasonal, local foods into classrooms, cafeterias, gardens, and community spaces.
Join the Harvest of the Month Community
Complete the sign-up form to register for the Harvest of the Month program, the Golden Sweet Potato Recognition Program, and unlock additional benefits beyond the free downloads. As a new Harvest of the Month participant, you’ll also be invited to join a Harvest of the Month 101 webinar on September 8 from 10:00–11:00 AM or September 9 from 3:30–4:30 PM via Zoom to learn how to use the resources, engage students, and successfully implement the program.
By signing up, you'll receive:
Monthly Harvest of the Month emails with ready-to-use resources
Invitations to quarterly Community of Practice webinars
Early access to new classroom activities
Opportunities for one-on-one coaching and technical assistance
Eligibility for Golden Sweet Potato Recognition and participant incentives
Opportunities to be featured on our website and social media
The first three programs to sign up will receive printed materials, personalized one-on-one technical assistance, and the opportunity to serve as pilot sites.
How to Participate
Getting started with Mississippi Harvest of the Month is easy!
Complete the Harvest of the Month Sign-Up Form to join the program and receive ongoing support, monthly resources, and program updates.
Build your team. We encourage participation from educators, administrators, child nutrition professionals, and other staff who can help bring Harvest of the Month to life.
Explore, taste, and learn about Mississippi-grown foods through monthly Harvest of the Month guides that include classroom activities, recipes, posters, book recommendations, and hands-on experiences.
Feature Mississippi-grown food each month in your classroom, cafeteria, or program through meals, snacks, taste tests, or cooking activities.
Engage your community. Invite families, local farmers, MSU Extension agents, Master Gardeners, community organizations, and other partners to participate and support your Harvest of the Month efforts.
Celebrate your progress. Display Harvest of the Month materials, share your successes, complete seasonal check-ins, and work toward Golden Sweet Potato Recognition by completing Farm to School activities throughout the year.
Discover Monthly Harvest of the Month Guides
Celebrate what's in season with monthly resources that make it easy to introduce fresh, local produce. Download a Harvest of the Month Guide below for seasonal facts, produce varieties, recipes, taste-test and cooking demonstration activities, reading recommendations, and printable posters.
Harvest of the Month Activity Guide & Resources
Choose a month below to open a folder containing printable 18×24 posters designed to support Harvest of the Month activities in your classroom, cafeteria, or learning space.
Printable Posters
Helpful Quick Links
Mississippi Farm Fresh Map: Find local farms, farmers’ markets, food hubs, and CSA pickups across Mississippi for sourcing food or planning visits.
When to Contact Farmers: A seasonal guide showing when crops are grown and the best times to connect with farmers.
Mississippi Farm Food Safety Checklist: A checklist to help schools have farms outline food safety procedures and best practices.
How to Talk to a Farmer About Procuring for Schools: Key questions and considerations to help schools build strong partnerships with local farmers.
Request for Information Basics for Food Service Directors: A great way to start cataloguing local foods available to your school district.
4 Steps to Cultivating a School Garden: A simple, step-by-step guide to starting and sustaining a successful school garden.
Virtual Farm Tour: Ocean Springs, Mississippi: Explore local agriculture through a virtual visit to Galloway Family Farm & Education Center in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, led by 3rd Generation Farmer Tracy Galloway.
Organizing a Farm Field Trip: Tips and planning tools for coordinating a safe, educational, and engaging farm visit.
Hosting a Farmers Market: Guidance for planning and launching a successful school-based farmers market.
Fresh Produce Guide: A quick reference for selecting, storing, and preparing fresh fruits and vegetables.