LONGMONT, Colorado-First Nations Development Institute (First Nations) recently released the Native Farm-to-School Resource Guide, a comprehensive manual for planning and implementing farm-to-school programs in Native American communities.

Farm-to-school is the common phrase for programs and activities designed to incorporate local foods into school systems to better educate students about nutrition, agriculture and culinary arts, as well as improving student nutrition and understanding of traditional foods, languages and ceremonies, and boosting tribal economies as locally produced food is added to school lunches. These programs typically include hands-on, experiential learning activities that strengthen the connection between students, farmers and the community.

The Native Farm-to-School Resource Guide was developed by identifying and analyzing existing Native and non-Native farm-to-school programs. Besides a guide for planning Native farm-to-school programs, a guide is available for tribal officials.

"The Native Farm-to-School Resource Guide is a necessary resource for communities striving to educate youth and community members on healthy, traditional agricultural practices," said A-dae Romero-Briones, First Nations' Director of Programs for Native Agriculture and Food Systems. "Creating a community-driven food system that engages both youth and elders increases tribal agricultural sovereignty. These efforts lead to increases in overall community health through improved knowledge and awareness of agriculture, increased consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, and the hands-on learning that supports physical well-being."

This guide was produced under First Nations' Native Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative (NAFSI), which began in 2002 to support Native communities building economic development through sustainable food systems that improve health and nutrition, strengthen food security, create food-related businesses and increase control of Native agriculture and food systems. In particular, the guide was an outgrowth of a grant First Nations received from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Office of Advocacy and Outreach aimed at training Native farmers and ranchers to build their capacity to manage agriculture and food-system operations.

The Native Farm-to-School Resource Guide is available as a free download from https://firstnations.org/knowledge-center/foods-health/resources.