DURHAM, N.H. - A workshop co-hosted by the New Hampshire Farm to School program at the University of New Hampshire's Sustainability Institute aims to bring the region's growing local food movement to its youngest eaters. On Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013, the Northeast Farm to Preschool Forum brings together farmers, preschool providers, parents and others in Dublin for a full-day forum to learn about bringing joy to early childhood through agriculture.

Northeast Farm to Preschool Forum

• Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Dublin Consolidated School, 1177 Main St., Dublin
• $20 per person; includes workshops, lunch, field trips
• Hosted by the Farm-Based Education Network and NH Farm to School at the UNH Sustainability Institute
• To register: http://farmtopreschool.eventbrite.com/
• For more information: Contact Stacey Purslow (603-862-2542) or Dana Hudson (802-223-1274)

"This full-day gathering will give participants tools for engaging children on a farm or in a garden, as well as tips for bringing agriculture into the classroom and meal or snack programs," says Stacey Purslow, NH Farm to School coordinator. "We're looking forward to a day of sharing activities, trying kid-friendly recipes, and exploring the exciting intersection where seed to table meets preschool."

In the morning, participants will choose from workshops like "Setting up a farmer relationship for visits and purchasing," "Early sprouts curriculum," or "Building and maintaining school gardens." In the afternoon, participants will carpool to nearby farms - Touchstone Farm, Otter Brook Farm and Happy Valley School, Brooks' Side Farm, or Stonewall Farm -- for hands-on and activity-based programs. 

In addition to the NH Farm to School program and the Farm-Based Education Network, partners for the forum are the Northeast Steering Committee of the National Farm to School Network, Cornucopia Project, Massachusetts Farm to School Project, Farm Fresh RI, University of Maine Cooperative Extension, USDA Food Nutrition Services, Shelburne Farms, VT-FEED, Otter Brook Farm, and Happy Valley School.

Housed at the Sustainability Institute at UNH, NH Farm to School is a statewide program working to connect New Hampshire farms and schools. Such sustainable food systems work is a key component of the Sustainability Institute. Sustainability is a core value of UNH, shaping its culture, informing behavior, and guiding its work. As a nationally recognized leader, UNH draws on the Sustainability Institute to act as convener, cultivator and champion of sustainability on campus, in the state and region, and around the world. Learn more at www.nhfarmtoschool.org and www.sustainableunh.unh.edu.

The University of New Hampshire, founded in 1866, is a world-class public research university with the feel of a New England liberal arts college. A land, sea, and space-grant university, UNH is the state's flagship public institution, enrolling 12,200 undergraduate and 2,300 graduate students.

Photograph available to download: /unhtoday/news/releases/2013/09/images/sona-got-carrots-1870.jpg
Caption: On Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013, the Northeast Farm to Preschool Forum brings together farmers, preschool providers, parents and others in Dublin, N.H., for a full-day forum to learn about bringing joy to early childhood through agriculture.

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