As Yolo County schools return to campus this month, school gardens supported by local nonprofit Yolo Farm to Fork (YF2F) stand ready and waiting to provide new, exciting learning experiences. Three new school gardens constructed by the nonprofit are set to debut this month: Lee Middle School and Gibson Elementary in Woodland and Westfield Village Elementary in West Sacramento.

This school year, the nonprofit will focus on getting students back in school gardens for hands-on science, nutrition, and agriculture lessons. Their new Farm to School grant from the California Department of Food & Agriculture will supply local school cafeterias with fresh produce grown by new small farmers, with a special focus on marginalized communities that have historically had little access to these marketplaces.

Over the summer, the nonprofit actively engaged students, both in Woodland Joint and Washington Unified School Districts. In West Sacramento, YF2F teamed up with the International Rescue Committee and Yolo Food Bank. Together, they led KidsZone summer camps in garden learning activities, from crafting nature bracelets to staging a Kids Farmer’s Market.

In Woodland, YF2F provided garden tours, earth science lessons, and freshly harvested produce for Migrant Education Summer Program students and their families. At the district’s Middle School Summer Career Program, they presented on food and agriculture industry careers and engaged students in a hands-on cooking class.

Since the pandemic hit, the nonprofit has barely missed a beat in pursuing their mission. YF2F staff and interns continued maintaining their “Growing Lunch” program at 13 Yolo County school gardens. Since March of 2020, YF2F has grown, harvested, and distributed 15,000 pounds (7 tons!) of fresh produce to children and families.

Thanks to the support of local businesses, the nonprofit pivoted their educational activities from in-person to remote. They created and distributed 600 bilingual Garden Discovery Kits for students to use at home during distance learning. Recent business sponsors include La Tourangelle Artisan Oil Company, Nugget Markets, Syngenta Seed Company, Raley’s Supermarkets, and Humboldt Redwood.

 How can you help support this work? Here are three ideas:

•  Local businesses and individuals can take the YF2F “Grow the Next Generation Challenge” to sponsor a school garden, Garden Discovery Kits for students, or interns who work in the garden
• Volunteer your time and expertise in a school garden
  
• Donate materials to a school garden
  

 For more information, visit yolofarmtofork.org or email info@yolofarmtofork.org.