
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Registration is open for the 2025 South Carolina Farm to School Summit, Bridging the Gap from Farm to School in South Carolina, scheduled for Feb. 21.
The summit begins at 8:30 a.m. at the University of South Carolina Pastides Alumni Center, 900 Senate St., Columbia, South Carolina, 29201. It ends at 3 p.m. Tickets are $30. For tickets, visit SC Farm to School Summit. Deadline is Feb. 10.
Educators, nutrition professionals, farmers and members of community organizations are invited to attend the summit, which aims to explore ways to incorporate fresh, local foods into schools. The event is hosted by the Clemson Cooperative Extension Service, the South Carolina Department of Education and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture.
“This is an opportunity for key farm-to-school players to connect, provide resources and support, and empower both educators and farmers to continue the farm-to-school movement,” said Carolyn Lindstrom of the Clemson Extension School and Community Gardening Program. “We invite everyone interested to join us for a day of learning, networking and bridging the gap between schools and farms in South Carolina.”
During the summit, educators will discover creative ways to integrate local foods into classrooms and curricula. Nutrition service professionals, farmers and agricultural producers will have opportunities to build networks and resources to bring local foods to school cafeterias and support local agriculture. Additionally, wellness and public health professionals, Extension agents, Master Gardener volunteers, community organizers and policymakers will learn how to support farm-to-school initiatives in their areas.
The summit features two educational tracks: the Nutrition Services Track and the Schools and Education Track. Topics covered in the Nutrition Services Track include school foods, micro-purchases and local procurement, implementing a Harvest of the Month program, and food safety and food waste.
The Schools and Education Track will address topics such as growing an agriculture program, building a farm, harvesting healthy habits, working with community partners, aquaponics, developing future farmers and creating innovative school gardens.
For more information, visit SC Farm to School Summit or email schoolgardens@clemson.edu.
Farm to School is a program designed to provide students with healthy, local foods as well as educational opportunities such as school gardens, cooking lessons and farm field trips. The program teaches children and their families how to make informed food choices while strengthening the local economy and contributing to vibrant communities.
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