Oregon Farm to School Network launches 10-year vision plan

CORVALLIS, Ore. — Building on nearly two decades of success, Oregon is planting the seeds for a healthier, more resilient future. 

The Oregon Farm to School Network, which includes the Oregon State University Extension Service, has released Oregon Harvest for Schools: 10-Year Strategic Vision for Oregon Farm to School (2025–2035) — a transformative roadmap to ensure every child has access to delicious, nutritious local food while supporting Oregon’s farmers, food makers, educators and communities.

The Oregon Farm to School Network supports school gardens and local food access across the state, working with nearly 1,000 educators, 500 food producers, 400 nonprofits and nearly 300 child nutrition professionals to educate students about where their food comes from.

The new plan continues the state’s progress and partnership with a shared vision for the next decade. By aligning resources across public and private sectors, Oregon aims to equitably improve child health and well-being, support academic achievement, promote environmental resilience and invigorate the agricultural economy.

The strategic vision represents one of Oregon’s most collaborative statewide efforts to date. Over the past year, the Oregon Farm to School Network, OSU Extension, Oregon Department of Education, Oregon Department of Agriculture, FoodCorps, Ecotrust, Oregon Dairy Council and Raindrop Workshop worked together to guide a grassroots process for drafting the plan.

“This vision is rooted in the understanding that farm to school programs improve child health and wellness, support academic achievement and strengthen Oregon’s economy,” said Melina Barker, director of the Oregon Farm to School Network. “From school gardens to local purchasing, these activities connect children, starting in early childhood through high school, with food grown in their communities and nurture lifelong curiosity about agriculture and nutrition. 

“These goals aim to integrate farm to school practices seamlessly into the school day so that educational settings model and uplift thriving communities,” Barker continued. “This vision centers equity strategies so that all youth and food producers from all geographies, cultures, and backgrounds can share the benefits of stronger local food systems.”

Nearly 850 Oregonians reviewed the draft plan, and 155 provided 1,449 opinions and 288 comments. Their voices helped shape a vision that ensures taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and programs remain durable, impactful and inclusive.

Oregon has been a national leader in the farm to school movement since 2007. The state’s investments and partnerships have created a strong foundation for growth:

• More than $40 million invested by the Oregon Legislature in farm to school grants, including $11.3 million in the 2025–27 Oregon departments of Education and Agriculture budgets to expand farm to school programs. The legislative funding builds on past legislative investments and are supported by federal initiatives within OSU Extension, commodity commissions, philanthropy and private business.
• 85% of Oregon’s Child Nutrition Programs now purchase local foods.
• Nearly 800 school garden sites identified statewide, with 463 active programs.

These results reflect bipartisan support for a proven model that benefits children in schools, local growers, food makers and communities across the state. Farm to school is not about solving a problem — it is about growing a good idea with lasting benefits, according to Michelle Markesteyn, OSU Extension Farm to School Extension specialist in the Center for Resilient Agriculture and Food Systems in the College of Agricultural Sciences.

 “Farm to school represents more than food on a tray — it is about building trusted relationships across sectors that strengthen Oregon’s economy, environment and education system,” Markesteyn said. “With this new 10-year vision, Oregon continues to lead the nation in showing how public and private partners can work together for durable, lasting impact.”

The 10-year vision identifies five interconnected goals to guide progress through 2035:

• Food Education for All — All Oregon students have access to hands-on food, agriculture and garden-based learning in classrooms, early childhood programs and after school and summer programs.
• Local Food Access for All — Every student in Oregon’s Child Nutrition Programs has access to locally grown, caught or processed foods.
• School Food Culture and Environment — Meal environments that reflect cultural traditions, elevate student and family voice and foster curiosity.
• Leadership and Professional Development — Create career pathways that train and support educators, nutrition professionals and administrators.
• Market Access and Development for Oregon Producers — Regional supply chains and producer trainings that create inclusive pathways into farm to school markets.

“Healthy students are better learners, and farm to school is a proven way to support both well-being and academic success,” said Charlene Williams, director of the Oregon Department of Education. “By connecting Oregon-grown food with classrooms and cafeterias, this 10-year vision strengthens learning environments, fuels academic achievement, and reflects our shared commitments to equity, community and opportunity.

Lisa Charpilloz Hanson, director of the Oregon Department of Agriculture, said, “Oregon’s Farm to School program is near and dear to my heart, and the goals outlined in this 10-year strategic plan closely mirror the work we do every day at the Department of Agriculture. Farm to school represents a mutually beneficial connection between our state’s farmers, fishers, ranchers and food producers as well as the communities in Oregon that need reliable regional food supply chains. The state’s Farm to School program helps build a resilient food system that serves all Oregonians.”

Mickeala Carter, vice president of policy and communications at FoodCorps, a national nonprofit advancing child wellbeing through food in school, said, “At FoodCorps, we have the opportunity to witness firsthand the meaningful moments that farm to school provides for kids: a garden lesson that makes food exciting and sparks curiosity, a cafeteria menu shaped with input from families and communities and a school meal that provides the nourishment children need to learn and thrive. State policies from Oregon’s lawmakers are essential to achieving and sustaining these experiences for every student, and this 10-year strategic vision reflects the opportunities ahead.”

To learn more and track progress on Oregon’s Farm to School 10-Year Strategic Vision, visit Oregon Farm to School Counts or contact Markesteyn at [email protected].