State Farm to School Policy Handbook 2002–2020

Introduction

The State Farm to School Policy Handbook: 2002–2020 is a tool for those working to advance farm to school, which is a movement for building just and equitable food systems through the ways kids eat, grow, and learn about food in school and early care and education settings. The Handbook summarizes and analyzes bills and resolutions introduced between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2020, from the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the US territories. It enables users to search bills by both jurisdiction and topic.

The Handbook provides:

• Analysis and infographics on state farm to school legislative trends;
• Summaries of proposed bills since 2002, whether enacted, defeated, or pending;
• Case studies on farm to school advocacy and implementation efforts including local procurement incentive programs, state farm to school support for Native communities, and COVID-19 impacts on farm to school; and
• Additional resources for advocates and policymakers to support state farm to school policies.

Farm to school advocates, policymakers, state agencies, and other stakeholders can use this guide to:

• Learn about existing state farm to school policies and programs as potential models for future efforts;
• Compare farm to school policies and programs across states;
• Access the full text of state farm to school legislation for inspiration and assistance in the legislative drafting process; and
• Advance new farm to school policies and programs.

Importantly, we acknowledge that policies change and often do so quickly. Thus, this report reflects a moment in time. The State Farm to School Policy Handbook: 2002–2020 is intended for use as a reference guide. To the best of our knowledge, the Handbook provides an accurate snapshot of state farm to school legislation through December 31, 2020. We welcome suggestions for additions or corrections at .

Acknowledgements

The State Farm to School Policy Handbook: 2002–2020 builds on a survey that was originally released in 2011, and updated in 2013, 2014, 2017, and 2019. We are grateful for the many organizations and individuals who provided input and contributions to earlier versions of this Handbook (previously called the State Farm to School Legislative Survey).

Contributors to the current edition from the Center for Agriculture and Food Systems team include Sophia Kruszewski and Lihlani Nelson. Contributors from the National Farm to School Network team include Jenileigh Harris, Anna Mullen, and Karen Spangler. Thanks to Laurie Beyranevand (CAFS), Claire Child (CAFS), Krystal Oriadha (NFSN), and Janna Parker (NFSN) for additional support and review. Thanks to Jeff Wainer for graphic design work on this report.

Special thanks to the National Farm to School Network Partners who provided interviews for the case studies. In particular, we thank Cheryl Bilinski (Cornell Cooperative Extension); Kendal Chavez (New Mexico State Public Education Department); Diane Conners (Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities); Colby Duren (Intertribal Agriculture Council); Beth Hanna (DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education); Lea Howe (DC Greens); Chris Iberle (Washington State Department of Agriculture); Megan Kemple (Oregon Farm to School and School Garden Network); Chelsea Krist (Iowa State Extension Farm, Food and Enterprise Development Program); Samantha Levy (American Farmland Trust); Colleen Matts (Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems); Nathan Medina (Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities); Jan Olmstead (American Indian Health Commission); Mikaela RuizRamon (American Farmland Trust); Valerie Segrest (Native American Agriculture Fund); and Michelle Schulte (Intertribal Council of Michigan) for their contributions to the case studies.

We also extend thanks to the following for their contributions to previous editions of this report: Esther Akwii, Ashleigh Angel, Matt Benson, Ilana Blankman, Allison Burket, Dr. Carmen Byker, Tarra Culbertson, Helen Dombalis, Martelle Esposito, Greg Fogel, Caroline Gordon, Marion Kalb, Jeannette King, Amber Leasure-Earnhardt, Megan Lott, Stacey Malstrom, Chloe Marshall, Korina Matyas, Julia McCarthy, Jamie Renner, Doug Shinkle, Chelsey Simpson, Mary Stein, Lesley Sykes, Kim Szeto, and Rebecca Valentine.

Photo credits go to: Larrison Photography (pages 4, 15, 16, 18, 26); Shelby Glynn Photography (page 6); Erin McKee VanSlooten (page 10); National Farm to School Network (pages 11, 29, 34, 37); San Pedro Elementary School (page 13); Jackson Child Care (page 17); Emily Hart Roth (page 28); Burke County Public Schools, Georgia (page 32), Corporación Juvenil para el Desarrollo de Comunidades Sostenibles (page 148).

This project is funded by the National Agricultural Library, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture.