A Proven Model for Making Change That Lasts
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
Questions? Reach out to Betsy Rosenbluth at brosenbluth@shelburnefarms.org.
A Research-Based Model
There are so many elements of this intentionally designed, thoughtful program that I want to replicate. It's just a matter of putting our own spin on it. The program has given us incredible tools, we’ve seen the model in action, and we understand why it was done the way it was done so we can adapt it at home.
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 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.
Building Leadership
I use farm to school to reshape food systems and as a way to hand the reins to a new form of leadership. And doing that through education, I think is going to be really powerful. This program reinforces the importance of facilitation and guiding folks into what they know is important for them; we don’t have to have the answers, but we help guide them to what make sense for them locally.
Benefits of Participation
- Attend an in-depth, five-day training at Shelburne Farms June 23–27, 2025 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 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.
Additional Resources
- Read our FAQ page for more information about the program, Institute model, and the in-person retreat.
- Read: Download our program brochure
- Watch: Meet program facilitators and adaptation teams as they discuss how the model has worked in their home states
- Watch: How is the model being adapted for farm to early childhood? Hear from programs in Vermont, Mississippi, Oregon, Washington, and Nebraska
- Read: Get an in-depth look at what makes the model successful
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