Oregon Farm to School Childhood Obesity Prevention Summit Lebanon, OR - April 20, 2016 Rick Sherman Farm to School / School Garden Coordinator
My Story 32 yrs. FSMC Past 20/FSD Coach Last SD: 19 Gardens; Master Gardener
DISCLAIMER: This is from my experience as a FSD over the years.. I m sure other school districts experienced differently than I did..
The next screen is a picture of a town meeting regarding school lunch at a school district I worked at
It became necessary to change the way I thought about fresh and locally sourced food!
ODE Farm To School Website: www.ode.state.or.us/go/f2sgardens First off- most everything I will talk about during the next six hours is on the ODE farm to school website
Did you know School Gardens are not a new thing?
School Garden ID project How many School Gardens are there in Oregon? Why do we want to know?
School Garden ID project Currently: Gardens!
School Garden ID project Currently: Gardens!
School Garden ID project Currently: Gardens!
To be represented in the Oregon School Garden Map!
We re the ONLY State with ALL gardens plotted, plus a contact for each one, plus now.. Pictures.
Even with all this overwhelming success, very few Oregon gardens overall have a lot of success with bringing the produce into the school cafeteria
Get Nutrition Services on Board Need a PASSIONATE FSD! Booth & Presentation: Biggest complaint at OSBA A lot of School Board/Administrators want a school Garden BAD! (more on this later) Equally all schools (Self-Op/FSMC s)
Get Nutrition Services on Board Need to develop relationship with FSD Eugene example; I became so passionate it changed my life! (because it was important to the public) If FSD isn t convinced, it s not going to happen. Perceived as a lot of extra work by staff and FSD.
What makes a successful program Garden Education Participation in the Growing Food offered at meals
Principal on Board Support of Principal, Facilities: If they re not behind this, it aint gonna happen!
Principal on Board (FSD too) Perceived Liability and Risk
TEACHERS on Board This is a new one! I heard in a community that school gardens were a waste of time by an administrator Usually nothing happens unless tied to CC/NGSS
TEACHERS on Board Sometimes a disconnect between the garden coordinator and the rest of the teaching staff.. oh- that s their deal
TEACHERS on Board
Before they get that bad: Inviting gardens generate support!
Garden Food Safety Liability/roadblocks It s all about Minimizing Risks Know what you re doing & have a SOLID system in place for minimizing risks
OREGON: No regulations re: Produce. (as opposed to poultry, meat inspections) County Health Inspector Doesn t care whether food comes from Sysco or garden, it just needs to be handled properly!
OREGON: No regulations re: Produce. (as opposed to poultry, meat inspections) County Health Inspector Doesn t care whether food comes from Sysco or garden, it just needs to be handled properly! BTW, does that Commercial garden have a fence??? Just asking
Garden Food Safety Have a system for: TRAINING DOCUMENTATION Your County Health Department, Parents, administration will love you.
Documentation & Training Program Contains: Companion guide/instructions Startup Checklist Weekly Checklist USDA Best Practices for Handling Food Staff training & log Student training & log Composting logs Available for download on our website
Why do we care again? New Garden Food Safety Program Minimizing risks to reduce potential liability Solid program to document safety issues, startup & weekly checklists, staff and student training. All will be online at our website
School Board Support
School Board Need to develop relationship with SB Eugene example; I took SB members out for lunch all the time Who here has been to a SB Meeting? They are required and CRAVE opportunities to get out to the schools, and report back to the Board. They are SO excited about this stuff!
School Board If it s important to the school board, it s important to the Principal and FSD! Not meant to be subversive, it s just the way it is.
MEDIA: SG s are a BIG DEAL! Here, a typical school garden day in Eugene.
Ha ha not really. However I DID get two TV stations, a newspaper and NPR to show up for one half-hotel pan of lettuce once!
So, you already have a garden.. You are the ambassadors for your NEIGHBOR school to get one! BUT what s their excuse not to have a school garden?
But I can t because. No Space: Reike Elementary PDX
But I can t because. No Space? Trillium Elementary, West Linn Trillium Charter, Portland
But I can t because. We have a specialized crop that we can t grow in our area: Texas Rice patty & Crawfish farm
But I can t because. No space: Do what you do best! Cranberry bog in Port Orford Down the road from Pacific HS
But I can t because. It s too cold here!
But I can t because. It s too cold here: Indoor hydroponics herb garden, Sisters HS. (*actual image died with my phone when it got ran over!)
But I can t because. WE CAN T RAISE MONEY / TOO EXPENSIVE
But I can t because. WE RE ALL ALONE, WE HAVE NO HELP!!
Number one reason?? No paid school garden coordinator probably NUMBER ONE REASON!
But I can t because. It s too cold here / No room: Windowsill gardens Part 1
But I can t because. It s too cold here / No room: Windowsill gardens part 2
But I can t because. Too Much Room, Garden is too much work: Lebanon Orchard
Do what you do best!
Do what you do best!..a full-on production farm! Candy Lane Elementary, Oregon City
Lebanon Gardens
Thank you! Feel free to contact me at: Rick Sherman Oregon Department of Education Farm to School/School Garden Coordinator 503.947.5863 rick.sherman@state.or.us
Questions
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