
04/22/2022
Happy Farmer Friday & Happy Earth Day! Did you know hydroponic farming saves between 70-90% more water than soil farming? GeoGreen, a hydroponic farm, sustainably grows leafy greens.
The New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Division of Food and Nutrition, is a proud supporter of farm to school programs in the Garden State.
Finding ways for schools to serve locally grown, fresh produce in school meals, summer feeding programs and pre-schools, along with incorporating school garden education is the mission of the NJDA Farm to School Program. Thanks for visiting the Department of Agriculture's page. We ask that you please refrain from using any type of offensive language. Profane, threatening, racist or inappropriate language will be removed.
Operating as usual
Happy Farmer Friday & Happy Earth Day! Did you know hydroponic farming saves between 70-90% more water than soil farming? GeoGreen, a hydroponic farm, sustainably grows leafy greens.
Fun Fact: According to a horse census by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, NJ holds the title of the most densely populated state by not only people but horses. Tag your favorite NJ horse farm!
Challenge: spend time at a pick your own farm this week! There's plenty of spinach (Jersey Tastes! Harvest of the Month). Brussel sprouts are almost done but that did not stop us from finding a few. Specca Farms Pick Your Own
Thank you Alstede Farms Cheyenne's Road MarketCoombs BarnyardFernbrook Farms Environmental Education CenterRobbinsville Hydroponic Farm for making a difference in Farm to School!
The NJ Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for the Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program. Application open to elementary schools with 50% or more free and reduced lunch.
https://nj.gov/agriculture/farmtoschool/home/NJ%20FFVP%20Application%20Packet;%202022-2023.pdf
Happy Farmer Friday! Thank you Reed's Organic Farm & Animal Sanctuary. Reed's Organic Farm focuses on abilities, not disabilities by providing employment opportunities to community members living with cognitive disabilities.
Thumbs up for the new Farm to School Pilot at Camden City School District! The Common Market Mid-Atlantic
Find out more:
https://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2022/04/06/school-lunches-get-healthy-makeover-in-camden-through-partnership-with-local-farmers/
Happy April! NJ Farm to School is so excited the harvesting season has begun. I bought some fresh spinach from Specca Farms Pick Your Own & ate it straight away. Next time, I will save some for my grilled cheese, peach & spinach sandwich! Where have you found Jersey Fresh spinach? Tag them below
recipe link -https://nj.gov/agriculture/farmtoschool/jersey-tastes/Spinach%20Jersey%20Tastes.pdf
Happy Farmer Friday! Thank you Alstede Farms. Alstede Farms offers school tours and they are "willing to share their knowledge with anyone." They also provide many donations throughout the region.
https://www.alstedefarms.com/
Thank you to all the teachers who attended the #njagintheclassoom Teacher on the Farm workshop. We can't wait to see how you bring the farm to your classroom!
Application now open for - Best in NJ Farm to School Award. Find the application at the link below https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HY62NZ7
Happy Farmer Friday! Thank you Consalo Family Farms - Consalo Family Farms was established in 1927.
When NJ Farm to School asked Chelsea Consalo what her favorite blueberry recipe was, not only did she have an immediate answer, she had an entire article written about her favorite recipe. Check out this delicious Blueberry Cake!
https://www.thepacker.com/news/industry/blueberry-grower-packer-shipper-shares-favorite-recipe
Congrats to our Spring 2022 Top Tomato Caroline Etsch of NJ Ag in the Classroom & Etsch Farms!
https://nj.gov/agriculture/farmtoschool/home/top-tomato/approved/20220321.shtml
Happy Farmer Friday! Thank you Clover Valley Farm, Danielle has been busy this week educating children, she says "To be able to cultivate an understanding of agriculture is invaluable." Check out her page to see more about her week.
Tag your favorite farmer
Be the first to know of our upcoming Teacher on the Farm PD days and all things Farm to School. Sign-up at the link below
https://nj.gov/agriculture/farmtoschool/home/subscribe.shtml
Picky eaters wanted: to try these Kale Chips with ranch seasoning.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxBxZFqH4lc
Happy Farmer Friday! Thank you @thinplacefarm - a certified organic permaculture farm that grows and experiment with all different crops and animals.
Has anyone tried a goumi berry? Do you have to google goumi berry to answer this question?
https://www.phillyorchards.org/2021/06/07/spotlight-on-goumi-berry-nitrogen-fixer-extraordinaire/
Here's a great opportunity for Life Science Educators.
https://www.onthefarmstem.com/events/tour-minn
Learn more about the opportunity to gain first hand knowledge of STEM concepts as expressed through dairy production
Fun Fact: A blizzard warning in NYC in 2015 caused several grocers to run out of kale. To read more about the "Rise of Kale" click on the link below
https://nj.gov/agriculture/farmtoschool/jersey-tastes/Jersey%20Tast%20Kale%20Activity.pdf
Happy Farmer Friday! Thank you @tjop10 - NJ Farm to School had the pleasure of meeting this young farmer and 20-21 FFA president at the Ag Convention and her enthusiasm is infectious. Looking at these pics of cute baby cows, we now can see why she was so excited to be on a farm. Tag your favorite farmer to be the next Farmer Trading Card!
Can you get 100%?
https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/quizzes/school-gardening
Happy March! NJ Farm to School is celebrating everything green, including our food! Start your day off with our Green Eggs & Ham recipe, no food dye allowed in this version.
https://nj.gov/agriculture/farmtoschool/Green%20Eggs%20and%20Ham.pdf
Watch the FoodCorps video to learn how to make a sweet potato breakfast bowl. Set up your own "Breakfast Bowl Brunch"!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-1ICmLTzT4
Happy Farmer Friday! Thank you @enlightenedfarm - a non-profit program under the Hansen Foundation that works to provide necessary treatment and programs for individuals healing from addiction. Enlightened Farm offers Therapeutic Horticulture as well as job training for adults in Recovery. Tag you favorite farmer!
Here is a fun activity for the kids...or kids at heart!
Happy Farmer Friday! Check out our "NJ Farm to School, Farmer Trading Card" @ramblin_sol_farm & tag your favorite farmer to be the next Farmer Trading Card!
Did you know the sweet potato is NOT a potato? It's actually a member of the morning glory family. Here's how to grow your own morning glory in the classroom.
Find this activity and more at https://nj.gov/agriculture/farmtoschool/agriculture/farmtoschool/schools/jersey-tastes/
February Jersey Tastes! is featuring Stupendous Sweet Potatoes. Get the kids involved making this fun & easy dessert.
https://nj.gov/agriculture/farmtoschool/documents/Sweet%20Potato%20Souffle;%20Jersey%20Tastes!%20Recipe.pdf
Thank you @CheyennesRoadMarket for volunteering to be our first official "NJ Farm to School, Farmer Trading Card". Tag your favorite farmer to be the next Farmer Trading Card!
February Jersey Tastes! is featuring Stupendous Sweet Potatoes. Start out your day with a delicious Sweet Potato Breakfast Bowl. Recipe and video in link below.
https://nj.gov/agriculture/farmtoschool/jersey-tastes/Sweet%20Potatoes%20Breakfast%20Bowl.pdf
Happy Friday! Are you a farmer or have a favorite farm connecting with schools in NJ? Tag them or let them know the applications for the “Farmer Recognition Award" applications found in the link below
https://nj.gov/agriculture/farmtoschool/news-events/
22 S Clinton Ave
Trenton, NJ
08609
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