CIAS has been participating in Tribal food sovereignty efforts since 2012, including the Tribal Elder Food Box Program initiated in 2021. Now in its third […]

If you are a socially disadvantaged and historically underserved  Wisconsin farmer, we want to hear from you! The University of Wisconsin is conducting a study, in collaboration with the University of […]

This free workshop invites BIPOC and other historically under-served farmers, processors, distributors, and food outlets to share their successes and innovations in providing food for […]

How can we use data to make food supply chains more resilient? This webinar, featuring Patrick Huber from University of California Davis and Michelle Miller […]

CIAS holds a seat on the National Academy of Sciences standing committee on agriculture and food. We are leading a session at the upcoming NAS […]

F.H. King Students for Sustainable Agriculture is a student organization working to promote sustainable agriculture at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. This UW-Madison student organization is affiliated with CIAS.

It all started with a small group of educators and a big idea: “What if our high school could grow its own food? What if we could create a state-of-the-art facility and a place for community learning?” recalls Jessica Mella, Plymouth School District’s Nutrition and Wellness Coordinator.

Farm to school typically conjures images of a young child tasting their first cherry tomato, excitedly digging up a carrot, or squeamishly holding a red wriggler worm. But farm to school can also involve high school agriculture students engaged in hands-on soil science experiments, talented culinary students developing new recipes, and creative entrepreneurs selling produce grown at their schools.

As farm to school grows in both popularity and maturity in Wisconsin, schools are looking for ways to develop increasingly comprehensive programs that will thrive for years to come. In order to accomplish this goal, student involvement and community engagement are essential.

Farmer involvement is an essential component of comprehensive farm to school programs. Core farm to school concepts such as local, fresh, healthy and community come alive for students through interactions with the farmers who grow the food found on the cafeteria tray.