Additional Support
Looking for extra support to help you achieve your farm to school goals? There are partners around Illinois and across the country who are here to help. Click on the links below to find additional resources and personal support on your farm to school efforts.
Illinois Farm to School Network (that's us!)
Can't find the right resource on the Illinois Farm to School Toolkit? IFSN's Program Manager is happy to provide additional, tailored support and connect you to the appropriate resources. Email us at:
University of Illinois Extension
University of Illinois Extension assists educators and food service providers with resources on food & nutrition education, gardening, and finding local farmers. County Extension Agents are also a wonderful resource for farmers to learn about local schools who are engaged in farm to school programming.
Illinois State Board of Education
ISBE's "Farm to Child Nutrition Programs" page hosts helpful information on local food procurement for Illinois schools and early care centers.
Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom
Illinois Farm Bureau's Ag in the Classroom provides teachers with educational materials to help teach students about Illinois agriculture. They have County Ag Literacy Coordinators around the state who you can contact for free resources and assistance.
National Farm to School Network
The Illinois Farm to School Network is a Core Partner of the National Farm to School Network. Click here to access their Resource Database, which provides hundreds of case studies, best practices, marketing materials, and how-tos on farm to school.
USDA Office of Community Food Systems
The Office of Community Food Systems at USDA provides grants, training, and technical assistance on farm to school. Check out their website and join their newsletter, The Dirt, to get the latest updates on upcoming webinars and the USDA Farm to School Grant Program.
First Nation Native Farm-to-School Resource Guide
This guide is a comprehensive manual for planning and implementing farm-to-school programs in Native American communities. Native farm-to-school programs have become an important way to introduce traditional foods and practices into curriculum, as well as to promote Native health, self-reliance and sustainability.