As students shuttle between classes and library sessions, many are discovering a new venue for learning—school farms. These programs not only educate students about food production but also deliver fresh produce to local communities.
Farm-to-school initiatives have been gaining traction across the nation. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm to School 2023 census, 81% of school food authorities engaged in at least one farm-to-school activity by the fall of 2024. Since 2019, there has been a 9% increase in participation.
In Michigan alone, 3,308 schools took part in these programs during the 2022-2023 school year, benefiting over 1.4 million students with fresh farm products.
Beyond providing fresh food, these programs offer educational opportunities. Jeremy Moghtader, the program manager at the University of Michigan’s campus farm, highlights the diverse learning experiences available, ranging from engineering to environmental sciences.
“People can engage at different levels or depths,” Moghtader said. “So I think what students get out of those interactions might vary at the different touch points, but that could be as straightforward as, you know, they want to be outside, they want to have a chance to do something that isn’t on their computer, and they want put their hands on the earth and pick a fresh cherry tomato and have it be delicious.”
Rachel Mintz
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Michigan Public
In Ann Arbor, the University of Michigan has addressed the lack of full-service grocery stores near campus by introducing a mobile farm stand, providing students with fresh produce directly from the farm.
Matt Hargis, who supervises Drew Farm in Detroit, notes an increased local interest in farm-fresh food, especially after the pandemic. Drew Farm supplies the Detroit Public Schools Community District and aims to expand its garden program to all schools in the district.
“There’s definitely more of an interest in eating farm-to-table and making it affordable,” Hargis said. “So I think that, despite it all, we’re in a very strong position just due to the fact that the community is very supportive of what we’re doing.”
Michigan’s Agricultural Legacy
Farm-based education has deep roots in Michigan, exemplified by Michigan State University, which was established as the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan and became a land-grant university by 1862.
James Averill, associate director of AgBioResearch at MSU, oversees 34 farms that cover 25,000 acres. These facilities are integral to Michigan’s agricultural research and education.
“We take a lot of pride in being the first land-grant university in the United States that has that focus of teaching, research, and outreach to help meet the needs of Michigan agriculture, and not only here in Michigan, but start looking around at how we can impact the agriculture and the natural resources here in the United States and around the world,” Averill said.
Michigan’s agricultural sector is vast, producing over 300 commodities and contributing significantly to the state economy, supported by the research and resources of institutions like MSU.
Rachel Mintz
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Michigan Public
Challenges in Farm-to-School Programs
Despite their benefits, farm-to-school programs face hurdles. The USDA has reduced funding for certain grants and programs, impacting initiatives under the Child Nutrition Programs. In March, nearly $18 million was cut from the Local Food for Schools program, along with over $11 million from Michigan’s pandemic relief efforts.
Drew Farm, for instance, benefits from USDA funding through various programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. While current cuts have not affected Drew Farm, there are concerns about future funding changes.
“I think a lot of people are sort of waiting for a shoe to drop,” Hargis said. “And I think like, even within the local Detroit agricultural community, there’s been a lot of disruption amongst programs from the USDA and other agencies, and I think it’s just a difficult time and we’re striving to make the best out of it.”
Programs like Michigan’s 10 Cents a Meal for Michigan’s Kids and Farms aim to support these initiatives, although budget constraints remain a concern.
Averill stresses the importance of both federal and state funding for the continued operation of MSU farms, which face their own challenges with outdated infrastructure.
“We have facilities that date all the way back into the late 1800s still in some of our structures,” Averill said, highlighting the need for updated support.
Despite these issues, Hargis remains optimistic about the resilience and future of the farm-to-school movement.
“I think for the farm-to-school movement, you know, again, it’s a difficult time, but it’s the time for all of us to really pick up from our bootstraps and just get to work,” Hargis said. “And you know the movement is strong. The people are resilient. And it’s all really about securing our future.”
