Getting Started With Farm to ECE

Some early learning programs won’t be able to incorporate every piece of farm to ECE, but even one activity can make an impact. Deciding which pieces to incorporate depends on your resources and priorities. For those who plan on creating a larger farm to ECE program, introducing one piece at a time may be more realistic and sustainable.

Starting farm to ECE can be done at no or very low cost with simple activities such as reading a food-related book at story time, singing songs, doing a taste test with a low cost produce item such as a carrot, watching a video of a farmer, and sprouting seeds in the classroom. Take a look at the curricula and activities linked on the gardening and food, nutrition, and agriculture education pages for more ideas.


Introduction to Farm to ECE

Starting Farm to ECE

Check out our How to Start F2ECE infographic. Click on the blue texts to access online resources.

Sustaining Farm to ECE

  • Farm to ECE Self-Assessment NFSN and ASPHN’s self-assessment designed to help ECE providers assess their current farm to ECE practices and develop goals and action plans to help grow farm to ECE at their site. Available in both English and Spanish.
  • Farm Raisers Learn more about Farm Raisers with examples that emphasize a direct connection with farms and schools
  • SPARK Grant Finder The SPARK Grant Finder Tool helps you locate funding for your program. Grants can be used for curriculum, teacher training, or equipment
  • NFSN “Funding Farm to School” Fact Sheet Tips for acquiring funds for your program through grants, donations, and special events. Some information can be applied to ECE

One of the keys to sustaining farm to ECE is continual parent engagement and support. Learn more on our engagement resource page.

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