Michigan farm to ECE award nominations

By Andi Anderson

It's time to nominate champions in farm to early care and education for the Michigan Grow More Award! This prestigious award recognizes early care and education (ECE) providers and farmers and food producers doing extraordinary work in farm to ECE.

The Grow More Award acknowledges the efforts of those involved in local food sourcing, nutrition education, and gardening for children aged 0-5 in ECE settings. This initiative benefits children, families, ECE providers, and farmers by promoting healthy eating and sustainable agriculture practices.

Nominations are due by Friday, September 1, 2024. Awardees will be announced at the October Michigan Farm to ECE Virtual Network Meeting.

The Categories:

For Early Care and Education (ECE) Providers:

ECE providers engaged in farm to ECE efforts include child care centers, family care homes, Head Start and Early Head Start programs, tribal child care programs, and preschools based in K-12 schools.

Nominations can include one or all of the following areas:

Procurement: Purchasing or obtaining food grown or produced locally.

Gardening: Planting, growing, and harvesting of fruits, vegetables, and edible plants.

Nutrition and Agricultural Education Activities: Educational opportunities related to food, nutrition, and agriculture that help children learn about how food grows and where it comes from.

For Farmers and Food Producers:

A farmer or food producer is anyone growing or providing one or more varieties of Michigan crops/products to an ECE site. This could include a farmer with a CSA or a local chef donating extra produce from their garden.

Farm to ECE in Michigan involves local food sourcing, nutrition education, and gardening, offering numerous benefits to children, families, and communities. By recognizing the champions in this field, the Grow More Award aims to inspire more people to engage in these impactful practices.

Nominate your Farm to ECE Champion today and help celebrate those making a difference in the lives of young children through sustainable and educational practices.

To submit a nomination, visit the Michigan Farm to ECE Network.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski