Expanding Access to Fresh, Local Produce for Sonoma County's Children

We are thrilled to share an exciting initiative that is making waves in Sonoma County and beyond! Conservation Works has joined hands with the California Department of Food and Agriculture's Farm to School Program, along with our dedicated partners (photos from School Garden Network and Shared Plate Strategies website above), to ensure that every child in underserved areas of Sonoma County has access to the bountiful goodness of locally grown fruits and vegetables, both in their cafeterias and school gardens. And that's not all—our project also includes unforgettable farm field trips that promise to be both fun and educational.

A Vision of Equity: Local, Organic Produce for All

At Conservation Works, we firmly believe that every child should have the opportunity to enjoy fresh, local, and organic produce. It's a matter of equity, and we're on a mission to make this vision a reality. No ifs, and, or buts about it.

Discover More in the Made Local September/October Magazine:

For an in-depth look at our project and its impact on the community, we invite you to dive into Evan Wigg's illuminating article in the Made Local September/October Magazine (picture above). It's a testament to the power of collective effort and the positive change that can be achieved when we unite behind a common cause.

Our Multi-Faceted Approach:

Our project encompasses a range of crucial components:

Local Food Sourcing: We're partnering with micro farmers and those practicing climate-friendly, regenerative agriculture to bring the best of Sonoma County's harvest to our schools.

Garden Revitalization: We're breathing new life into school gardens with fresh plantings, improved infrastructure for cooking out of their garden, and engaging educational programs.

Breaking Down Barriers: We're actively identifying and addressing the obstacles that stand in the way of successful farm-to-school models and forming a farm-to-school coalition.

Inspiring Young Minds: We're offering captivating farm trips and classroom modules to ignite our youth's lifelong passion for healthy eating and environmental stewardship.

Our School District Partners:

Alexander Valley Union School District
Bellevue Union School District
Cotati-Rohnert Park Unified School District
Forestville Union Elementary School District Gravenstein Union Elementary School District
Harmony Union School District
Healdsburg Unified School District
Petaluma City Schools
Santa Rosa City Schools
Shoreline Unified Sonoma Valley Unified School District West Sonoma County Union High School District
Wright Elementary School District

Our Dedicated Collaborators:

Farmers Exchange of Earthly Delights (F.E.E.D.) Cooperative
Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District
School Garden Network
Shared Plate Strategies
Sonoma County Chapter of Community Alliance with Family Farmers
Sonoma County Office of Education
Sonoma Resource Conservation District

This initiative is a testament to the commitment and passion of our community and partners to create a healthier, more sustainable future for Sonoma County's children and families.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support of Conservation Works so we can do projects like these.  We are small but mighty!  Together, we can empower the next generation with the knowledge and nourishment they need to thrive.

If you would like to continue this program and are interested in learning more or if you are a school/school food services director and you are interested in participating, please contact us at admin@conservationworksnc.org