ENVIRONMENT

Schools dig nature

Farm to school activities can support practices that build healthy soil, clean air, and clean water in urban, suburban, and rural environments, while impacting participants' ecological ethics. Farm to school activities may also support environmentally sound, sustainable, and just approaches to food production, processing, packaging, transportation, and marketing. Success in this sector is measured via student and adult environmental literacy, environmentally friendly practices in schools, and support for sustainable food production methods and practices. Although there is significant potential, research and data collection related to environmental impacts is nascent. Visit the data gaps page for examples of other environmental measures for which we hope to have data in the future.

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SCHOOLS SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY PRACTICES

School gardens support diverse natural food environments

Percentage of schools that have an edible garden that is actively used for educational activities

SCHOOLS SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY PRACTICES

School district purchase of sustainably produced foods

Number of school-based composting programs that are part of existing waste reduction programs or are stand-alone

Source: Oregon Department of Education  School Garden Survey. 2020

STUDENTS ARE ENVIORNMENTALLY LITERATE THROUGH ENGAGEMENT IN FARM TO SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

Increase in student knowledge about the relationship between the environment and food systems, including environmental impacts of food production, processing distribution and waste or composting

Number of students receiving educational activities who are able to demonstrate knowledge, skills, and motivation to make responsible food choices and how they impact their health, the environment, and their community

Source: Oregon Department of Education Farm to School Education Grant Report 18-19 School Year

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