Building on nearly two decades of success, Oregon is cultivating a healthier, more resilient community through its Farm to School initiative. The Oregon Farm to School Network, in collaboration with the Oregon State University
Extension Service, has introduced “Oregon Harvest for Schools: 10-Year Strategic Vision for Oregon Farm to School (2025–2035).” This strategic roadmap aims to ensure that every child has access to nutritious local food while supporting Oregon’s farmers, food producers, educators, and communities.
The Network promotes school gardens and local food access, collaborating with nearly 1,000 educators, 500 food producers, 400 nonprofits, and close to 300 child nutrition professionals. Their objective is to educate students about the origins of their food.
The new plan continues Oregon’s progress and partnerships with a vision for
the next decade, focusing on enhancing child health, promoting academic
achievement, and invigorating the agricultural economy.
The drafting of this plan involved a grassroots process with contributions from the Oregon Farm to School Network, OSU Extension, and the Oregon
Department of Education.
Melina Barker, director of the Oregon Farm to School Network, emphasized the importance of connecting children with locally grown food to foster lifelong curiosity.
Nearly 850 Oregonians reviewed the draft plan, providing valuable feedback that shaped a vision focused on wise spending of taxpayer dollars and durable, impactful programs. Since 2007, Oregon has stood as a national leader in the farm to school movement.
