Rooted Wi Inc

TO SPECIFICALLY IDENTIFY CHALLENGES FACED BY STUDENTS IN MADISON METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT (MMSD), WE LOOK TO THE 2023 DANE COUNTY PANDEMIC FOOD SYSTEM STUDY WHICH DETERMINED, CHILDREN ARE DISCONNECTED FROM THE FOOD SYSTEM, WHICH HAS IMPLICATIONS ON THEIR FOOD AND DIETARY CHOICES AS WELL AS THEIR CONNECTION TO AGRICULTURE AS A PROFESSION. MANY CHILDREN LACK ACCESS TO NUTRITION, COOKING, AND GARDEN EDUCATION (DANE COUNTY PANDEMIC FOOD SYSTEM STUDY, P. 57). ROOTED HAS A LONG HISTORY OF GARDEN EDUCATION PROGRAMMING INVOLVING MMSD STUDENTS AND IS UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO HELP RECONNECT STUDENTS TO THEIR FOOD SYSTEM THROUGH A NETWORK OF ESTABLISHED AGRICULTURE SITES WITHIN SCHOOL DISTRICT BOUNDARIES.FOR THIS PROJECT ROOTED PROPOSES THE 'I GREW THAT!': STUDENT PROPELLED SCHOOL LUNCHES PROGRAM, WHICH WILL BUILD UPON A SUCCESSFUL 2023 PILOT PROJECT CONNECTING ROOTED-LED ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES WITH PAID HIGH SCHOOL SERVICE LEARNING JOBS TO SUPPLY STUDENT GROWN PRODUCE FOR MADISON METROPOLITAN SCHOOL DISTRICT LUNCHES. THE I GREW THAT! PROJECT WILL PROVIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN FIRST THROUGH THIRD GRADE WITH FOUNDATIONAL AGRICULTURAL LESSONS, HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE STARTING SEEDS, AND A VISIT TO A ROOTED FARM TO HARVEST AND TASTE FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. STUDENTS IN FOURTH AND FIFTH GRADE WILL ALSO PARTICIPATE IN AGRICULTURAL LESSONS AND GROW TRANSPLANTS TO BE PLANTED AT ONE OF ROOTED'S FARMS. THESE PLANTS WILL BE CARED FOR AND HARVESTED BY PAID HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH EMPLOYEES, EXPRESSLY FOR THE SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM AND PEER TASTING EVENTS. IN ORDER TO GAIN MORE VOICE IN WHAT THEY EAT AT SCHOOL, MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS WILL PARTICIPATE IN EVALUATING STUDENT-GROWN FRUIT AND VEGETABLE VARIETIES AND WILL SAMPLE RECIPES DEVELOPED BY HIGH SCHOOL CULINARY PROGRAMS. THROUGH THEIR TASTE TESTING, THE STUDENTS WILL DETERMINE WHICH PRODUCE IS MOST PREFERRED AND RECOMMEND WHICH STUDENT RECIPES TO INCORPORATE INTO SCHOOL LUNCHES. AT ITS CORE, THIS PROJECT ENABLES STUDENTS TO INTIMATELY LEARN ABOUT AND PARTICIPATE WITHIN THEIR LOCAL FOOD SYSTEM. STUDENTS ACROSS THE PROGRAM WILL BE AFFORDED ENGAGING HANDS-ON AGRICULTURAL EXPERIENCES, ALL OF WHICH ARE INTENDED TO CONTRIBUTE TO A STUDENT-INFORMED SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM AND AN INCREASE IN LOCALLY-GROWN FOOD IN MMSD SCHOOL MEALS, ULTIMATELY RESULTING IN HEALTHIER FOOD CHOICES MADE BY MMSD STUDENTS.

DANE COUNTY GARDEN REVITALIZATION

FARM TO SCHOOL GRANT PROGRAM

ENHANCE AND EXPAND EXISTING COMMUNITY GARDENS THROUGHOUT DANE COUNTY BY ESTABLISHING NEW GARDENS, RAISED BEDS, CONSERVATION PRACTICES, LONG-TERM PLANNING FOR ORGANIZERS, AND COMMUNITY EVENTS, WORKSHOP.

THIS GRANT SUPPORTS THE COSTS INCURRED TO IMPLEMENT MEASURES TO RESPOND TO THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS 2019 (COVID-19), WHICH MAY INCLUDE WORKPLACE SAFETY, MARKET PIVOTS, RETROFITTING FACILITIES, TRANSPORTATION, WORKER HOUSING, AND MEDICAL EXPENSES. IT PROVIDES NEEDED RELIEF TO THE FOOD PROCESSORS, DISTRIBUTORS, FARMERS MARKETS, AND PRODUCERS FOR THEIR COSTS INCURRED BETWEEN JANUARY 27, 2020, THE DATE UPON WHICH THE PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY WAS DECLARED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICE (HHS) UNDER SECTION 319 OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT, AND DECEMBER 31, 2021. BENEFICIARIES INCLUDE THE EMPLOYEES OF THE FOOD PROCESSORS, DISTRIBUTORS, FARMERS MARKETS, AND PRODUCERS.