Indiana Grown for Schools Network

Pride Academy is sharing the love with families this summer! They sent home Garden Starter Kits filled with cucumber, corn, pea, tomato seeds and more. Families can start their plants now and watch them grow all summer long. With gardens at all three locations, Pride Academy has been growing food, composting, and running a veggie stand for 12 years. They even teach garden-based curriculum to their scholars! Lots of learning is blooming at Pride Academies across central Indiana.

Want your farm-to-ECE work highlighted? Email [email protected].

🌱 Applications are now open for the Farm to School Leadership Academy!

Educators, school nutrition leaders, and coordinators—this is your chance to join a powerful year-long community dedicated to transforming school food systems. Applications are due Monday, June 8, 2026.

Beginning in September 2026, the program includes in‑person gatherings in Vermont and Minnesota, paired with virtual sessions that support your farm to school efforts. Participants will explore transformational leadership, systems change, and practical tools, rooted in resilience, care, and community.

This national program is offered by the Shelburne Farms Institute for Sustainable Schools in partnership with the National Farm to School Network, with support from the USDA. Build the strategies, skills, and connections you need to create healthier, more resilient school food systems.

➡️ Learn more and apply today!
https://shelburnefarms.org/educators/professional-learning/farm-school-leadership-academy

Farm to School Leadership Academy For leaders and aspiring leaders who are dedicated to food systems education and committed to healing these systems in schools and early childhood settings.

🍎 CACFP Farm to ECE & Culinary Training – Register Now!

This summer, IDOE is hosting a hands-on culinary training for child care centers participating in CACFP! Join us for a one-day, in-person session where a chef will lead cooking demos and interactive lessons using locally grown ingredients. You'll also learn how to bring Farm to ECE practices to your site.

Training Dates & Locations:
Tuesday, June 2 – Miami County YMCA, Peru
Wednesday, June 3 – New Hope for Families, Bloomington
Thursday, June 4 – Floyd County Head Start, New Albany

Perfect for food service directors, kitchen leads, cooks, and anyone interested in scratch cooking!

⏰ Time: 1–3:30 p.m. CT / 2–4:30 p.m. ET
📅 Registration closes: Friday, May 29
🔒 Capacity: 15 participants per site (waitlist available)
👉 Click here to register: https://idoe.jotformgov.com/261255116930048

Questions? Contact Molly Hayes ([email protected]) or Sophie Lindley ([email protected])

Shelbyville Central Schools is boosting both brains and moods with their Mood Boost program! 🥦✨ In this lesson, RD Diana Griffin taught students how broccoli can fuel the mind and body — and why its “Mood Boost” is Happy! Students had the chance to taste, touch, and explore this powerful veggie firsthand.

We’re excited to share that we were able to serve over 50 pounds of lettuce grown right here at SHS by our high school students! This accomplishment reflects a tremendous team effort from everyone involved.

We’re looking forward to expanding opportunities in plant and soil science next year with Krista Justice and Kay Huntsman, with the goal of serving even more fresh produce to our students and community.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible!

🌱 Last Chance to Register! 🌱
Join us tomorrow, May 19th from 3:30–4:30 PM ET for our Farm to School Office Hours!

We’re excited to welcome our special guests:
• Beth Frisbee, Indian Creek – Food Service Director
• Daniel Williams, Mooresville – Food Service Director
• Jayme Davis, Springville Academy – Academy Administrator

They’ll be sharing their experiences and insights on moving from garden or student-led business to the cafeteria — a hands-on look at what farm to school can really look like in action!

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and be inspired. We hope to see you there!
👉 Register here: b8b77b37-16ca-4fcf-903c-1857d8f9199b@2199bfba-a409-4f13-b0c4-18b45933d88d" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/b8b77b37-16ca-4fcf-903c-1857d8f9199b@2199bfba-a409-4f13-b0c4-18b45933d88d

🌱Join Us for May Indiana Farm to School Office Hours!🌱

May 20, 2026, 3:30-4:30 PM ET

This month, we’re diving into how Indiana schools are building successful pipelines from school gardens to cafeteria trays. Come learn practical tips, food safety guidance, and real success stories from schools turning student-grown produce into delicious meals served every day.

Perfect for: Nutrition teams, garden leads, teachers, administrators, and community partners

Don’t miss it — let’s keep Indiana growing together! 💚

Register here: b8b77b37-16ca-4fcf-903c-1857d8f9199b@2199bfba-a409-4f13-b0c4-18b45933d88d" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/b8b77b37-16ca-4fcf-903c-1857d8f9199b@2199bfba-a409-4f13-b0c4-18b45933d88d

🎉 Happy School Lunch Hero Day for the Indiana Grown for Schools Network!

We are amazed at the work that food service professionals are doing across the state to feed our youth. Food service professionals are cooking food, running a small (or large) business, navigating procurement challenges, working to follow USDA regulations, touring farms, shucking corn, building relationships with students, and so much more. We are so proud to work to support these amazing professionals. Let's take this day to celebrate!

Grant Opportunity: 2026 Growing the Future Intergenerational Garden Grant!

In celebration of Miracle-Gro’s 75th anniversary, Miracle-Gro and KidsGardening are awarding 75 intergenerational youth garden grants in 2026! These grants support garden programs that bring children and older adults together to learn, grow, and share meaningful experiences in the garden. Whether passing down traditions or discovering new skills side by side, intergenerational gardens help cultivate connection, curiosity, and community.

🎉 Grant Award: $750
🌿 Focus: Shared gardening experiences between youth and older adults
🌼 Total Grants Available: 75

If your program is building bridges across generations through gardening, this is a wonderful opportunity to grow your impact!
Let’s keep growing the future—together.

Intergenerational Garden Grant - KidsGardening 2026 Growing the Future Intergenerational Garden Grant The 2026 Growing the Future Intergenerational Garden Grant, brought to you by Miracle-Gro and KidsGardening, is designed to support gardens that intentionally bring children and older adults together through shared gardening experiences. In 2026...

🌱 Farm to School Office Hours — Today! 🌱
Join us as we dig into this month’s topic: School Gardens!
Whether you're just getting started or already growing strong, we’d love to hear your questions, ideas, and challenges. This is a great space to learn from one another and get support from the Indiana Grown for Schools Network.
🕒 Today, April 15 3:30-4:30 PM ET
💻 Virtual Office Hours: aa2df5f7-6a19-45e5-872e-1e5a2b7d47bd@2199bfba-a409-4f13-b0c4-18b45933d88d" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/aa2df5f7-6a19-45e5-872e-1e5a2b7d47bd@2199bfba-a409-4f13-b0c4-18b45933d88d
🌿 Topic: School Gardens

Let’s grow together! 🌼