New York: Growing Farm to School Capacity Across the State

Implementing the Core Components in New York

Adapting the NEFTSI model involves preserving the core components that make the model impactful and sustainable while modifying how they are implemented to fit the local context. Here are three key ways New York is adapting the NEFTSI model for their state.

A Commitment to Equity in Team Selection

From the beginning, the New York adaptation team made a commitment to intentionally infuse equity throughout their institute, starting with programming at the summer retreat and extending to curated workshops and resources throughout the year. They placed particular emphasis on equity in the team selection process. After participating in the Farm to School Institute Adaptation Program’s equity in practice series, FINYS Associate Ashlea Raemer led an effort to evaluate and update the application and application review process. 

The new application launched in January 2024. Updates included replacing many of the long-form questions with multiple choice questions and checklists that ask schools to select things such as their current farm to school activities. These changes leveled the playing field among applicants so as not to favor those with the best writers. Questions were also added about the infrastructure schools have in place to support long-term program sustainability, equity, and inclusion. With these changes, the New York adaptation team not only considers applicant outputs (e.g., number of activities taking place, percentage of local food procured), but also the processes they have in place, which helps to identify schools that have room to benefit from the institute’s support. 

To make the selection process more transparent, the adaptation team included a section on their FAQ webpage that outlines their priorities when selecting school teams. They also make space for applicants wanting to have a conversation to further discuss what they look for in a successful application.

Opportunities for Teams to Connect Beyond the Retreat

Following the COVID-19 pandemic and the adoption of necessary virtual accommodations, the New York adaptation team was inspired to maintain a hybrid institute program. The addition of virtual meetings made it possible to connect school teams more often without bringing them all to one place, which can be a challenge since New York is such a big state. It also made it more feasible for school teams to be matched with coaches who may live a little further away.

The adaptation team also created an end-of-year, in-person gathering in May for teams to share what they have accomplished and recognize one another’s successes. This gathering is also an opportunity for teams and coaches to get together one more time to assess their programs and where they are headed, and for teams to network with each other and solidify the bonds they formed during the year.

Stipends to Motivate Action Plan Implementation

The New York Farm to School Institute was one of the first programs to offer an implementation award. Teams are provided with $5,000 stipends to use toward implementing their action plans. Stipends are disbursed in two parts: one round of funds is granted after the retreat, and the second round is granted the following February after the mid-year meeting. This approach ensures that schools follow through on their commitment to complete the institute, while also meeting the school teams’ needs. Funds are flexible, and have been used for things such as purchasing hydroponic towers for classroom gardens, making school gardens more accessible to all students, developing outdoor classroom spaces, and creating marketing materials for their programs.