The Michigan Farm to School and Early Care Network: From Classroom to Cafeteria to Community
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EmailThe Michigan Farm to School and Early Care Network officially launched on June 25, 2026. This network works to expand access to local food and nutrition education, support healthier children, and strengthen family farms and communities across the state.
Following engaging discussions with organizations and stakeholders from across the state, the Michigan Farm to School and Early Care Network officially launched on June 25, 2026. Over 85 participants attended the virtual launch representing a wide range of supporters and farm to youth champions, including farmers, educators, parents, and statewide organizations. The Michigan Farm to School and Early Care Network works to expand access to local food and nutrition education, support healthier children, and strengthen family farms and communities across the state.
“We really hope that this network becomes a place where people doing Farm to Youth across Michigan can connect, learn from one another, share resources, and build relationships,” Maria Distler, Program Manager of the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan said. “We want the direction of this network to really be shaped by the people who participate in it.”
This Network is led by Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems (CRFS), Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities, and the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan. Each of these organizations guides working groups: Strategy, Education and Communications, Local Food Sourcing, and Early Care and Education (ECE). Additionally, this network has 18 steering committee members who offer cross-sector input from all corners of Michigan. To align towards shared goals, the network will proceed in a collaborative strategic planning process that will bring together the voices and needs of network members.
"The depth and longevity of Michigan's Farm to School and Farm to ECE work in the state is what laid the foundation for a strong network launch," Julie Lehman, Farm to Youth Network Coordinator at CRFS, said.
Going forward, the network will connect through monthly newsletters and quarterly meetings. One key slot of the quarterly meetings will offer time for network members to share their stories. In this inaugural network meeting, Jen Lewis of East Jordan Public Schools, and Mary Turner of Mimi’s House Family Child Care in Lansing, highlighted what drives their work and the resources that supported them. This section of the meeting aims to celebrate the possibilities of farm to youth work in Michigan.
“For a word of encouragement, I would say start wherever you can – whether that’s a window box for herbs, a container box to grow some potatoes. You don’t have to be big, just put your heart into it,” Turner said. “So, just start where you are, but really dig in and make that commitment for farm to early care.”
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About the Michigan Farm to School and Early Care Network
The Michigan Farm to School and Early Care Network works to expand access to local food and nutrition education, support healthier children, and strengthen family farms and communities across the state. Learn more and get involved at mifarmtoyouth.org
