The state’s first Farm to School Summitwill be held in Kearney on Wednesday.
Bailey Mahlberg, Nebraska Farm to School Coordinator, says the program aims to connect K-12 schools with local farmers and ranchers.
She says the program has three specific goals: to get healthier food into school cafeterias, improve student nutrition and create educational opportunities that relate directly to agriculture.
Mahlberg says the program is beneficial to both students and farmers.
"This isn’t something that’s going to happen overnight. We understand this isn’t a quick and easy transition for schools. But ultimately, that’s the goal, to have kids participate in a hands-on experience. That’s probably the best education you can have. So if kids are in the gardens growing the produce themselves, I think that will be so beneficial for them.”
The Nebraska Farm to School Summit takes place on Wednesday from 2:00 to 5:30 p.m. at the UNK campus.