Farm to School Month

Farm to School Month

David Sparks Ph.D.
David Sparks Ph.D.
October is Farm to School Month

In 1935, the U.S. population was about 120 million people and

we had about 7 million farms. So about one farm for every 17 of us. Most Americans had some connection to a farm and agriculture. However, fast forward to the present. We only have two million farms, but 320 million people or one farm for every 160 of us. So over the years, our connection to agriculture has gradually become more, more and more distant. And with fewer and fewer lawmakers and policymakers with any background as to what farmers go through to produce our food, decisions can be made that create unintended problems for farmers. And this lack of connection with farms also can cause many kids and adults not to incorporate farm fresh raised fruits and vegetables into their diets. And so to remedy all that, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has what is called the Farm to school program… “to teach kids about the importance of learning where their food comes from, how it's developed.”

Deputy Undersecretary of Agriculture Brandon Lipps say this is a program in which schools apply for grants to start farm to school programs. “We have to develop generations of kids who know where their food comes from because they understand the importance of and the difficulty in agriculture.” So they grow and appreciate the work farmers go through to bring us food.

So kids in schools that have farm to school programs learn all about the labor and the science that goes into producing food. And while in New Orleans. Brandon Lipps visited some schools that are running farm to school programs.

Previous ReportHemp Popularity
Next ReportMore on F1K9