The Farm Bill, a package of federal legislation renewed by Congress every five years, sets agriculture and food assistance policies that touch every aspect of farm to school and farm to early care and education (ECE) activity. But we know that farm to school and farm to early care and education is one piece of change needed for a truly just food system. While the core elements of farm to school emphasize nutrition education, hands-on gardening, and local procurement, our National Farm to School Network (NFSN) Partners’ priorities include broader goals. This platform reflects NFSN’s support for policy changes within our core sphere of expertise, and wider spheres where we can stand in solidarity with calls to shift the economic, cultural, and decision-making power governing our food system.

Check out the NFSN 2023 Farm Bill Policy Priorities, here.

For questions, contact Karen Spangler at karen@farmtoschool.org.

Shane Allison R.N., B.S.N., M.A.T, school nurse extraordinaire works hard to engage students in health education and community gardening at Northridge High School in Dayton, Ohio through the school’s STEM Program. Allison, a school nurse for over 26 years, also has his master’s in environmental biology and has served in the Northridge school district for eight years. Allison developed the STEM program by applying a broad lens to health that includes environmental and social determinants of health.

“Think of me like Red in Shawshank Redemption. I get a lot of things done. I’m the school nurse; I manage all the outreach and get kids shoes, clothes, coats; I run this program; and even taught a couple of health classes."

Community and environmental health are critically important in Northridge as the high school and surrounding community were severely impacted by the Memorial Day weekend tornados in 2019. Since then, the district has built a new K-12 building and acquired property across the street that is now a student-run park (named Polar Park after the district’s polar bear mascot). It has quickly become the jewel of the STEM Program. Allison said, “Northridge is the sixth poorest district in the state, with a median household income of $27,000, and all students are eligible for free breakfast and lunch.” Allison sees Polar Park and the curriculum as an opportunity to support students in a community where STEM programs don’t often exist.

The STEM Program provides high school credit to students in grades 8 - 12 and has three arms that support Polar Park.

1. Sustainability
   • The program has a student-run hydroponics garden that provides enough leafy greens to use in the school cafeteria each The program harvests at least 12 lbs. of produce a day for the school year. Students are responsible for testing, weighing, and harvesting.
   • The STEM program uses paper, kitchen waste, and hydroponic by-products to compost on a large sca
   • Through a grant provided by Montgomery County Environmental Services, the district shreds all concession bottles and puts them in a plastic extruder to make 3D filament for a 3D printer for the district’s maker’s class.
2. Natural Resources
   • Through a partnership with Montgomery County Parks and Recreations, the students are learning about various plants and trees. Students also work to develop Polar Park and remove invasive species.
   • The Junior Ranger program provides educational opportunities to elementary school students and engages them in the program.
3. Parks and Recreation
   • Students learn how to run a park, cultivate space for food production, engage the community, use the natural world to explore art and get plenty of physical activity.

Allison’s major barriers in the program have been funding – but also the students’ fear of failure.   

Allison explained, “children don’t try things just because they don’t want to fail.” He believes it starts with developing a trusting relationship with students, putting them out front, and getting them involved.

 “I want students to understand this program is theirs and they own it.”

Allison’s secret to success? His partnerships. Montgomery County Soil and Water, Montgomery County Environmental Services, University of Dayton, OSU Extension, and Harrison Township are part of the Polar Park Advisory Council that provides guidance, support, and meaningful partnership to the project.  Allison added that while the council provides amazing support, Polar Park would be nothing without the support of the superintendent, David Jackson. “He gives us space to let me do what I do and is so supportive of this work.”

Future plans for Polar Park include an Ohio Means Jobs summer internship program with Northridge and University of Dayton School of Engineering students, a summer concert, skatepark, generating enough compost to supply the district, and starting a farmers’ market.