Thanks to a $78,294 federal grant award from the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program, Fonda-Fultonville Central School District students will enjoy locally sourced foods as part of their 2024-2025 school day meals. They will also participate in educational activities ranging from agricultural courses to field trips to local farms.
“The Farm to School Implementation Grant will allow FFCSD to strategically expand our agricultural education program k-12 and strengthen students’ connection to the local agricultural community,” said Superintendent Thomas Ciaccio. “By reaching students at every grade level, the district aims to instill a lifelong appreciation for the Ag industry, promote healthy eating habits, and create a deeper connection between the students and our local ag partners.”
Beginning this school year, select teachers will participate in agricultural professional development with the National Council for Agricultural Education. As part of the grant award, high school students will be offered the opportunity to take a course that aligns with the Agriculture Business curriculum. At the middle school, students will participate in activities like composting, animal care, raised-bed gardening, and field trips. Prekindergarten through grade 4 students will engage in various educational activities, including lifecycle education, field trips, and guest speakers. Each school will have a designated coordinator called a “champion,” who will oversee planning and implementation, as well as facilitate cross-grade collaboration.
The grant application for the Fonda-Fultonville Central School District was written by members of the Capital Region BOCES Grants & Development Service, our champion AG teachers, and support from the Cornell Cooperative Extension.
The Farm to School movement began in the late 1990s when a handful of schools across the country started responding to the rising levels of processed food in their cafeterias. Every year, the USDA awards competitive Farm to School grants that support planning, developing, and implementing farm to school programs.