What is Farm to School?
WSU Clallam Extension works closely with school districts to develop programs that promote student, staff, and community wellness. In 2022, the Clallam Extension Community Health Program Manager began to establish an official regional Farm to School program to expand equitable access to healthy food and outdoor education in our local institutions. From the National Farm to School Network:
“Farm-to-school enriches the connection communities have with fresh, healthy food and local food producers by changing food purchasing and education practices at schools and early care and education settings.”
Knowing that implementing a farm to school program can be a challenging endeavor, WSU Clallam Extension provides a multitude of services to regional school districts:
School gardens
In 2019, WSU Extension VISTA Benji Astrachan began to support teachers and community members in their efforts to build and sustain school gardens in the Port Angeles School District. We continue to support school garden projects by distributing resources and supplies, providing technical assistance and assisting with fundraising efforts.
In 2023, WSU Extension hired the first regional Extension employee dedicated to delivering garden-based horticulture, nutrition and science education in schools. Our educator, Amelia Depue, is continually developing garden-based curriculum that directly compliments State standards. Our team and project partners envision healthy schools with outdoor classrooms where students can learn, play and be nourished.
Local Procurement
The WSU Clallam Extension Farm to School team offers consultation to school districts and school meal service departments exploring local sourcing, scratch cooking and nutrition program menu development.
Contact danielle.carson@wsu.edu if you represent a meal service department and are interested in learning more about Farm to School.
Education
Through community partnerships and relationships with community-based organizations, educators, farmers, Master Gardeners and 4-H, WSU Clallam Extension Farm to School is working to offer experiential place-based food systems education.
Recent news from Clallam Farm to School
- Lincoln High School Awarded grant for Waste Prevention projects In collaboration with the WSU Clallam County Extension Farm to School team, Lincoln High School was awarded a 2025 Waste Not Washington School Award from the WA Department of Ecology […]
- Clallam Farm to School featured in Peninsula Daily News Farm to School is gaining traction in Clallam County thanks to the efforts of the Port Angeles School District and the WSU Clallam County Community Health team, as well as […]
- Photo gallery: Port Angeles Schools celebrate Eat Local Month In observance of Taste Washington Day, on October 4, Clallam Farm to School and the Port Angeles School District kicked off the first of many local food taste testing events […]
Learn more and
get involved
If you are a parent, school district staff or community member interested in contributing to the Clallam Farm to School movement, there are several ways to help:
- Volunteer in school gardens- Reach out to Clallamfarm2school@gmail.com
- Make a donation at Airport Gardens Center (cash or in-kind)
- Host a field trip: Fill out this form
- Encourage your local school board to support Farm to School.
Meet the Farm to School Staff
Amelia Depue
Garden-based Education Program Coordinator
Danielle Carson
Community Health program manager
