Schoharie County

Schoharie County Farm to School Project

Contact:

Regina M. Tillman, Nutrition Resource Educator / F2S Co-Leader
Cornell Cooperative Extension Schoharie County, Cobleskill
rmt37@cornell.edu
518-234-4303 (phone)
518-234-4305 (fax)

Project Objectives:
Implementation Plan, dtd June 2007:

1. Local Leads, R. Tillman and J. Ennist complete the "F2S in the Northeast" Orientation Program thru Cornell University/Farm to School. (Feb08 Update: done)

2. Local School Food Service Director Meeting to include F2S on monthly meeting agenda. Develop baseline data for purchase and use of local produce and continue to track for alignment with F2S goals and desired outcomes. (Feb08 Update: ongoing)

2. Complete implementation of School Food Services and Farmer Assessments; aggregate feedback from those assessments (Feb08 Update: in progress)

3. Conduct a local F2S Conference. Establish a meeting date for assessment results to be shared with school and farmer representatives as well as community stakeholders, and for determining next steps in the implementation plan. (Feb08 Update - target date adjusted to Fall of 2008.)

4. Establish local mailing list of interested individuals and representatives of schools, teachers, parents, farmers, and community groups in order to promote and inform, with periodic solicit for feedback on strategies for the local F2S implementation. (Feb 08 Update: mailing list started; if interested in being kept informed locally, please email R. Tillman to be added to the list - rmt37@cornell.edu.)

5. Begin promotion, via available media and promotional outlets, of the Schoharie County F2S Project in order to publicize progress and success stories, seek assistance with project needs, and garner community support. (Feb08 Update: Thus far in 2007-08, articles on the local F2S Project appeared in "The Scoop" CCE Schoharie County Newsletter w/ a circ of ~1500 subscribers; Jan 08 - Exhibitor at the "Ag Expo" held at SUNYCobleskill.)

Future Plans:
1. Integration of 'local food systems' discussions and demonstrations into applicable school curriculum;

2. Strengthening ties between F2S, Food Service Directors and each school's Wellness / Nutrition Policy implementation plan.

At this time we are seeking:

... interested parents as volunteers in their local school kitchens for help in prep of selected local produce (frequency is dependent upon menu and must be willing to be trained in Safe Food Handling)

... interested teachers and parents to provide guidance and direction for school gardens located at or near their schools.

... interested businesses/business owners to help in sponsoring the planned Fall 2008 local F2S Conference.

Project Partners:
Josie Ennist, School Food Service Director, Schoharie Central School District,
F2S Co-Leader : 518-295-6618