ODE’s Farm to School Grants are funded by the Oregon State Legislature, and funding needs to be renewed each session, through Oregon’s Farm to School Bill. The Legislative Session began on January 22 and the Oregon Farm to School and School Garden Network (OFSSGN) has an ambitious plan to pass an expanded Oregon Farm to School Bill, to provide increased funding for Oregon’s Farm to School Grants.
HB 2579, the 2019 Farm to School Bill would expand the Farm to School Grant Program to provide additional funding for both Procurement and Education Grants, and additional funding for summer meals. HB 2579 requests a total of $8.5 million (this is $4 million more than is available for the current Grant Program). This is an ambitious expansion and our partners with the OFSSGN need everyone’s support to make it reality.
The OFSSGN is coordinating two Lobby Days for the Farm to School Bill on Thursday March 14 and Friday March 15 in conjunction with the OSNA State Conference. We’re hoping that while you’re in Salem for the OSNA Conference that you can take an hour or so out of your day on Thursday (before the conference) or Friday (if you’ll have a break in your day) to head over to the Oregon State Capitol, which is six blocks away, to meet with your legislator(s) to express your support for the ODE Farm to School Grant Program.
The OFSSGN will schedule one or two meetings for you (they’ll last about 15 minutes each) accompany you to the meeting(s), and can help you prep what you’ll say if you’d like. All you need to do is show up with your story about how the grant program makes a difference for your district, students, or community.
If you are willing/able to meet with your legislators on Thursday March 14 or Friday March 15, please RSVP using this form and someone from the OFSSGN will be in touch to schedule your meetings and provide all the info you need.
If you have questions contact Megan@oregonfarmtoschool.org. Thank you for your engagement!