Farm to CNP Newsletter: February 1-28, 2026

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Oregon Department of Education - Oregon achieves - together

Farm to Child Nutrition Programs (CNP) Newsletter

February 1-28, 2026 | Vol 7 Issue 2

Farm to CNP logo

Important Dates

calendar

• Optional FFVP Office Hours: Wednesday, February 4th, 2- 3pm.

• Optional NCRG Office Hours: Wednesday, March 11th, 2-3pm

 


Inside this Issue


  • Farm to CNP Grants
    • Farm to CNP Noncompetitive Reimbursement Grant (Updated)
    • Farm to CNP Competitive Reimbursement Grant (Repeat)
    • Farm to CNP Education Grant (Updated)
  • Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (Updated)
  • Oregon Harvest for School Awards! (New)
  • Farm to School Podcast: New episodes are now available! (New)
  • Oregon School Nutrition Association Farm to School Showcase (New)
  • Salad Bars to Schools Grant Applications Opening In February (New)
  • Junior Master Gardener Virtual Teacher/Leader Training Conference (Repeat)
  • Growing School Gardens Summit (Repeat)
  • Life Lab-Certified School Garden Educator Certification Program (Repeat)
  • 2026 National Children & Youth Garden Symposium (Repeat)

Farm to CNP Grants


apples

Noncompetitive Reimbursement Grant (NCRG)

All eligible NSLP, CACFP, and SFSP CNP sponsors were automatically opted in to receive a Noncompetitive Reimbursement Grant for the 2025-2027 biennium (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2027).

The grant’s start date is retroactive and claims can be submitted for items purchased back to July 1, 2025.

Optional Monthly Office Hours: The Farm to CNP team is hosting optional virtual monthly office hours on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. Drop in on Wednesday March 11th between 2-3pm to ask questions and get answers to all things NCRG! The office hours can be joined on Zoom via this link: https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1618818788

Resource spotlight: The 2024-2025 Farm to CNP Combined Claims File​ is live on the NCRG webpage! ​The Farm to CNP Reimbursement Grant Combined Claims Excel file is a list of eligible purchases made by other grantees during the previous grant period. The list can be sorted by county, product, vendor, etc.​

Curious what other schools are purchasing with their funds? Visit the Farm to CNP Reimbursement Grant webpage for grant resources. Visit the Oregon Harvest for Schools Directory for a directory of Oregon producers ready to sell to schools!

Please let the Farm to CNP team know at FarmtoCNP@ode.oregon.gov if you have any questions.


bell pepper

Competitive Reimbursement Grant

The Competitive Reimbursement Grant (CRG) provides eligible grantees with additional funding beyond their Noncompetitive Reimbursement Grant awards. To be eligible, applicants must have received a Farm to CNP Noncompetitive Reimbursement Grant award and fully expended those funds.

2025-2027 biennium applications are expected to open in early 2026.


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Education Grant

The application period for the 2025–2027 Education Grant RFA is closed. The scoring process is currently underway. Thank you to all who submitted applications and to the volunteer scorers. We anticipate that grant award notifications will be announced to the general public soon and posted on the Education Grant webpage at that time.

General Information about this grant program can be found on the Education Grant webpage.


ffvp

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP)

The current grant period is October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026. Awardees should submit FFVP claims monthly.

  • UPDATED: Please review the updated dates on the FFVP webpage under "Claim Resources and Documents."
  • Resource Spotlight: Claim procedure guidance. This mini training, available on the FFVP webpage under "Claim Resources and Documents" reviews the FFVP claims procedure and covers each step of the claims process.
  • Bimonthly FFVP open office hours: The first Wednesday of every other month, the ODE FFVP team hosts open office hours from 2-3pm to answer FFVP-related questions and offer technical assistance on claims.

Any questions can be sent to us at ODE.FFVP@ode.oregon.gov.


Oregon Harvest for Schools Awards

OH4S Awards

ODE is thrilled to announce the Oregon Harvest for Schools Awards!

The Oregon Harvest for Schools Award honors Oregon's farm to school community – the growers, educators, food service professionals and advocates who bring innovation and dedication to connecting children with Oregon-grown food. These champions cultivate lasting change by enriching student education and strengthening local food systems. This award celebrates their vision and commitment to ensuring that Oregon's next generation grows up with healthy meals, meaningful food education, and a deeper connection to land and people who feed them.  

Do you know an Oregon farm to school champion whose dedication deserves to be recognized and celebrated? Nominate them for an Oregon Harvest for Schools Award to shine a light on their impact! 


Farm to School Podcast Logo

NATIONAL FARM TO SCHOOL PODCAST

Officially at 15,000 downloads! With listeners in 57 countries!


New Episodes:
We have new episodes of the Farm to School Podcast! Check out the latest Farm to School Podcast episodes below!


The Old Guard, New Ideas: A Farm to School Reunion

Old Guard

In this special episode recorded at the National Farm to Cafeteria Conference in Albuquerque, NM, Michelle and Guest Host Christy Sherding sat down with the “Old Guard” of the Farm to School movement — Leaders whose vision and persistence helped shape school food into what it is today.

You can listen to the episode here.

From Shreveport to SW Florida – Where Culture, Cooking, Courage and School Gardens Meet.

From Shreveport

Two inspiring leaders share how culture, community, and courage shape their farm to school journeys. Meet “Di Plant Lady,” whose roots in farm work and Caribbean heritage fuel her mission to heal soil and souls, and Kathleen, a Florida Extension powerhouse helping school gardens feed both cafeterias and curiosity. Together, their stories remind us why this movement matters: when we plant seeds with intention, we grow far more than food.

You can listen to the episode here.


Available on approximately 30 platforms! Simply search for “Farm to School Podcast.”

For show notes, podcast transcripts and contact information please visit the OSU Farm to School Podcast website.

The Farm to School Podcast is a project by Oregon State University (OSU), funded by the USDA. It is hosted by Rick Sherman and Michelle Markesteyn.


Podcast Logos

Oregon School Nutrition Association Farm to School Showcase

OSNA

Registration is now open for the 2026 Farm to School Showcase at the Oregon School Nutrition Association Food Show on Saturday March 14th at the Salem Convention Center. The Oregon Department of Agriculture sponsors this annual show to make it economical for Oregon producers to participate.


To exhibit in the Showcase you must be an Oregon farm or food business that sells Oregon produced and/or processed products that are suitable for school meal programs. Only Oregon produced or processed products will be allowed in the Showcase area.
This annual event draws 400 school food and nutrition service buyers and culinary staff from all over Oregon.

Register by February 13th.


Salad Bars to Schools Grant Applications Opening In February

Chef Ann

The Chef Ann Foundation's Salad Bars to Schools grants K–12 schools the equipment and technical assistance they need to successfully implement a salad bar.

Salad Bars to Schools grant applications will open in February 2026.

Join the interest list to get notified when applications open.

 


Junior Master Gardener Virtual Teacher/Leader Training Conference

JMGT

The 2026 Junior Master Gardener National Leadership Training will be offered virtually on February 17-18, 2026. 

This engaging, hands-on virtual conference will cover curricula, best practices, outreach strategies and funding for youth gardening programs.

Check out the schedule and register on their website: https://jmgkids.us/2026jmgnlt/


Growing School Gardens Summit

summit

Registration and scholarships are open for the Growing School Gardens Summit! The Summit takes place over February 19-22, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona! This event brings together over 700 school garden educators for four days of hands-on learning! Now in its third year, this event continues sparking new ideas, strengthening connections, and supporting the growth of school garden programs nationwide.

Learn more and register at SchoolGardenSummit.org


Life Lab-Certified School Garden Educator Certification Program

lifelab

Next cohort: March 16th - May 13th.
Looking to start or enhance an educational garden program, or elevate an existing one? Powered by Sprouts Healthy Community Foundation, the 8-week virtual course will guide and support educators in becoming Life Lab-Certified School Garden Educators! This series is open to all who want to earn this certification; no experience or degree required to join! Learn more on their website.


2026 National Children & Youth Garden Symposium

NCYGS

Save the date!

The American Horticultural Society's 2026 National Children & Youth Garden Symposium will take place from July 13-16, 2026 in Pasadena, California. Now in its 34th year, this professional gathering includes interactive workshops, keynote talks, garden visits, and networking opportunities.

Additionally, the call for session proposals is open until January 4, 2026. Visit their website for further information.


February 1-28, 2026 | Vol 7 Issue 2

Questions or suggestions for future issues? 

Please send an email to the Farm to CNP team at FarmtoCNP@ode.oregon.gov.