Gov. Dayton declares September 'Farm to School Month'

U of M Extension efforts support farmers, schools, students MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (09/02/2011) —Gov. Mark Dayton has declared September as Farm to School Month in Minnesota, recognizing the hundreds of dedicated farmers, schools and community members active in farm to school efforts around the state. As part of Farm to School Month, Extension community nutrition educators throughout the state will incorporate food from local farms and school gardens into classroom lessons and cafeteria taste tests. Farm to school connects nearby farmers and locally grown foods with K-12 students. Locally grown, minimally processed foods, especially fresh fruits and vegetables, are purchased and prepared, and students learn more about the food they eat. In addition, farm to school programs can contribute as much as $400,000 annually to a regional economy, according to a University of Minnesota Extension study. "It's the relationships among farmers, school food service staff, parents, students, teachers and other concerned community members who make farm to school happen in Minnesota," said Stephanie Heim, University of Minnesota Extension farm to school coordinator.