Each year, we celebrate the Farm to School movement in the first week of October. Any school or early childcare center can participate in Mississippi Farm to School Week and National Farm to School Month. As part of the week-long celebration, the Mississippi Farm to School Network Challenges School Districts and Early Childcare Centers to give farm to school a try: buy a local food to serve on cafeteria trays or do an activity in the school garden. The Challenge offers three routes:

Procurement Challenge: Highlight a local menu item throughout the week. You can invite a farmer to visit, or visit a local farm to further engage your students in farm to school. The theme this year highlights locally grown seasonal squash, but feel free to feature any local food. MS Farm to School Network can help connect you to farmers and facilitate the procurement process if you need. Prizes for participating in this challenge will include promotional items like posters, stickers, and other items related to local procurement.

Garden Challenge: Kickstart your garden by planting some seeds or do an activity or lesson in the garden! Prizes will include seeds and other garden supplies. If possible, the MS Farm to School Network team will be happy to come out and help with garden work.

Supreme Challenge (Procurement & Garden): Participate in both the Procurement and the garden challenge.

Pledge your school or district for the challenge here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSccX_7qG3-8eajW_oQAXLy6kdl8jmRRgV4pYiDlLXXZYFTdUA/viewform?usp=sf_link