A Proven Model for Making Lasting Change

Begins June 23–27, 2025 with an in-person retreat at Shelburne Farms.

Created by Vermont FEED, a partnership of Shelburne Farms Institute for Sustainable Schools and NOFA-VT, the Farm to School Institute is a proven professional learning model for growing robust farm to school programs that last.

Our model’s success lies in engaging whole-school teams in building shared leadership and capacity. Through action planning, coaching, peer networking, and skill building, we create sustainable farm to school programs that connect the dots between classrooms, cafeterias, and communities.

The Farm to School Institute Adaptation Program is an opportunity for farm to school leaders across the country to adapt the model to their region and grow farm to school in your state.

Join us to bring the Farm to School Institute model to your state.

Application Details

Applications for the 2024–25 Farm to School Institute Adaptation Program are now closed.

Questions? Reach out to Director Betsy Rosenbluth at brosenbluth@shelburnefarms.org.

What Farm to School Leaders Say

"Having [the program] already laid out with research-based curricular components and stories of success behind it made it easy to build a case and get buy-in from my state. Everything we did was based on the Vermont model, including coaching, and it really just made everything feasible for us."

Sarah Smith
Sarah Smith
Nebraska Department of Education Farm to School Coordinator, 2021–22 Adaptation Program

Program Overview

Our Adaptation Program supports teams in their efforts to adapt, develop, and launch their own Farm to School Institute programs. We focus on centering the core components that make our Institute model impactful, while modifying aspects to fit your local context and goals. 

The Institute's core components represent a set of effective, researched-based  practices that  form the foundation for an immersive, relationship-based Institute experience focused on transformational outcomes for schools, educators, and communities.

In partnership with USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Shelburne Farms Institute for Sustainable Schools has supported 19 states in launching or preparing to launch their own Farm to School Institutes. You can be next.

The Model in Practice

Watch how Connecticut has adapted our model to meet their state's diverse needs and goals, leading to their first statewide Farm to School Institute in 2023.

Connect with Your Peers

Seeing and experiencing the model in action while we were in Vermont was amazing. That peer-to-peer learning was really wonderful; connecting with the other adaptation teams from Nebraska, Arkansas, and Connecticut has been invaluable.

Angela McGregor Hedstrom
Angela McGregor Hedstrom
Ecotrust Community Food Systems Manager (OR), 2021–22 Adaptation Program

Benefits of Participation

  • Attend an in-depth, five-day training at Shelburne Farms June 24-28, 2024 in conjunction with the Northeast Farm to School Institute summer retreat to experience the Institute in action. A pre-Institute deep dive into program components will be included, as well as a post-Institute debrief and planning session.
  • Receive direct technical assistance tailored to individual adapters will be provided, covering topics such as recruiting schools and coaches, supporting a coaching program, budgeting and logistical concerns, centering equity in program and recruitment efforts, professional learning framework and evaluation.
  • Join a cohort of four other state adaptation teams in a year-long community of practice. With Shelburne Farms Institute for Sustainable Schools as host, you’ll learn from our resources, technical assistance, tools, and one another.
  • Selected state teams will receive a $7,500 stipend to cover travel and other expenses.

Meet the Core Instructors

Betsy Rosenbluth, Vermont FEED Project Director

Jen Cirillo, Shelburne Farms Institute for Sustainable Schools Director of Professional Learning

Qing Ren, Shelburne Farms Institute for Sustainable Schools Evaluation & Program Analyst

Connect With Us

Start a conversation with Betsy Rosenbluth to learn more or request information about this program.