Farm to School Program

Our Farm to School Program was launched in 2014 when the Prescott Unified School District became the proud recipient of the USDA Farm to School Planning grant and an active planning team was formed. A needs assessment, known as The Four Seeds Farm to School Project, was conducted in the early development of this program. At the time, PUSD was one of two school recipients in all of Arizona. The Farm to School movement was just beginning to formally take root in various communities in Arizona. Thanks to the tremendous effort put forth by our planning team and the support of many community partners, PUSD graciously received the 2019 USDA Farm to School Implementation grant. As of 2020, PUSD was one of four school district grantees throughout the state of Arizona that had been awarded a USDA Farm to School grant. Thanks to our amazing Garden Champions, community partners, and volunteers, we now have a garden at each of the seven schools in the Prescott Unified School District. Students from every grade level, preschool on through high school, have the opportunity to care for and grow in a garden. 

Farm to School Education

Farm to School education links school children with farm fresh food and educational activities that bring the world of agriculture to life and help instill lifestyle choices that nurture their bodies, their communities, and the planet. Young people who have the chance to dig in a garden, learn about nutrition, agriculture, and the natural world are more likely to eat these healthy foods when they are served in the cafeteria and when available to them at home. Farm to School brings the bounty of community to the forefront of learning through activities such as school gardens as living classrooms, cafeteria taste test events from local farms and grocers, and educational visits from our community partners. 

Three of our schools have undergone the rigorous process of becoming School Garden Certified. We are so proud of all our teachers and staff for this mighty undertaking and for the incredible accomplishment of earning this important certification from the Arizona Department of Health Services School Garden Program. Using organic products is another large component of this certification. PUSD strives to uphold standards such as these at all other school garden sites. 

Planting the Seeds of a Healthier Generation

Farm to School is a compelling and successful example of how food, gardening and agriculture can plant the seeds of a healthier generation. According to research done by the United States Department of Agriculture, Farm to School Programs across the country have assessed and discovered that students’ fruit and vegetable intake has increased. They have also found that students have developed “better attitudes towards and greater willingness to try fruits and vegetables. These students also demonstrated greater knowledge related to nutrition and agriculture.” 

Prescott has a vibrant history of agriculture, reaching back into the days of Prescott’s inception. Today, there are many small and mid-scale farms and ranches that are valuable assets for food procurement and nutritional education opportunities for the children in the Quad-City area. PUSD continues this important tradition by empowering students to learn how to grow their own food. 

Goals

• Students will be more willing to try fresh fruits and vegetables and include it in their daily meals.
• Students will make healthier lifestyle choices. 
• Students will have a greater knowledge of nutrition and agriculture.
• Students will be empowered by learning how to grow their own food.  
• Students will develop a sense of stewardship towards the environment and civic-mindedness. 

Special Thanks to our Community

PUSD is immensely grateful for the investment our community has made in our students. Our Farm to School Program would not be possible without support from our partners and volunteers. Thank you for your contributions, whether you are a parent supporting your student’s learning at home, a volunteer helping to care for our school gardens, a generous community member or business making a donation, or a vital partner providing services or grant funding. Every contribution makes a difference in the lives of our students and their educational success.