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The State Farm to School Policy Handbook is a tool for those working to advance the farm to school movement.

Developed by CAFS faculty, staff, and students in partnership with the National Farm to School Network, this regularly-updated resource outlines states legislation from across the U.S. that promotes gardens, food and agriculture education, and local food procurement in schools.  

The most recent version, the State Farm to School Policy Handbook: 2002-2020, summarizes and analyzes bills and resolutions introduced between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2020, from the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories. It builds on a survey that was originally released in 2011, updated in 2013, 2014, 2017, and 2019, and was previously called the State Farm to School Legislative Survey. 

Like previous iterations, it allows users to search bills by both jurisdiction and topic. It also provides analysis of and infographics detailing state farm to school legislative trends; summaries of proposed bills since 2002, whether enacted, defeated, or pending; case studies on successful farm to school advocacy efforts; and additional resources for advocates and policymakers to support state farm to school policies. 

The most recent version of the handbook also highlights legislation that can advance racial equity, such as bills that focus on school food procurement practices, targeted farm to school training, and resources for BIPOC farmers. Additionally, it includes a comprehensive case study on key strategies to support Native food and Tribal sovereignty through farm to school policy.

This project is funded by the National Agricultural Library, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture

PARTNERS: 

National Farm to School Network

Photo by Larrison Photography, courtesy of National Farm to School Network.

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