Launch the media gallery 1 playerBurwell Public Schools Awarded A USDA Farm to School Planning Grant
January 14, 2021
Burwell Public Schools received a USDA planning grant for $37,125 to develop a Farm to School Action Plan that will provide the framework for building a culture where locally sourced foods are served in the cafeteria with Farm to School curriculum and hands-on activities for students K-12. The plan will explore new relationships with local agricultural producers for food procurement, student garden and greenhouse opportunities, recipe development and taste testing events for students. Students will gain valuable habits in making healthy food choices that will decrease their risks for developing heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Students will explore agricultural careers that will directly affect the future of economic development in Burwell, Nebraska.
BPS Farm to School team members working on the action plan are Darrin Max, Administrator; Phillip Simpson, Ag Educator; Michele Clements, School Lunch Program Manager; Lesa Gideon, RN School Nurse; Kayla Hinrichs, Nebraska Extension Educator; Tammy Pinckney, co-owner Sandstone Grill and Health & Wellness Coach and Tenise Jarecke, Co-Owner Sandstone Grill. Recently, the team toured the Litchfield Learning Center and Litchfield Public Schools in Litchfield, NE to observe a school where farm to school activities are already in place. The team was able to learn firsthand the school's classroom work in the greenhouse and their use of food grown at the Learning Center in the school lunch program.
Work is in progress to develop and execute the action plan and the team is focused on the core principles of developing a farm to school program which includes K-12 educational curriculum, local and regional food procurement and student activities. Initial actions at Burwell Public School have included laying the foundation of learning healthy eating practices. Tammy Pinckney has led classroom discussions using hands-on activities that have helped students in grades K-12 learn about green, yellow and red light food choices using the food continuum.
Agricultural producers or stakeholders who are interested in participating in the Farm to School Program or have questions should contact Mr. Darrin Max at 308-346-4150.
