Think about your favorite recipe or when you look up a new meal to prepare. Every recipe has at least two parts: 1) the ingredient list 2) the method to prepare When you cook, you need to know what to put into the dish. To make an omelet, the egg is a key ingredient! The cook needs to know what to do with the eggs as well...How to crack the egg, what to do with the shell, how to scramble, and how to learn the consistency needed in the pan before flipping. All these tasks take

Farm field trips are the perfect experiential learning opportunity for young children. Being on a farm is sure to be memorable for a small child...the sights, sounds, and smells, coupled with activities such as picking fruits or vegetables, feeding animals, or sitting on a tractor. So much fun! However, in many child care and preschool settings, it's just not feasible to transport children off site for a field trip. So, what's the next best thing? Invite a farmer to be a spec

When asked the question, “Have you heard of Farm to ECE?” many will say no. Maybe it’s the formal name or the acronym “ECE?” Whatever it is, if you’re working with young children, I am willing to bet you practice some form of Farm to ECE in your setting and don’t realize it. One of the most common Farm to ECE activities this time of year is the annual field trip to the apple orchard or pumpkin patch. Picking apples from trees or seeing fields of pumpkins on their vines are va

HAPPY Fall, Y’all! Leaves are falling and autumn is calling, pretty colors fill the air. It’s time for hoodies, flannel, sweaters, and football. It doesn’t matter which Iowa team you cheer for, we all "root" (pun intended) for our Iowa farmers!! One way to show your support is to participate in Iowa Local Food Day on October 11th. I plan on participating in this event. At Little Steps and Beyond Daycare, we will be serving local foods for all meals and snacks that day. I

October is National Farm to School Month, a time to celebrate connections happening all over the country between schools, food, and local farmers! Farm to school enriches the connections 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. With farm to school, students gain access to healthy, local foods as well as education opportunities such as school gardens,

It's fall, and do you know what that means?! It's apple orchard season! If you've been thinking about how to introduce local foods into your child care program or own household, here is your opportunity. First, purchase local apples from your nearest apple orchard. You can make a day of it by picking your own and partaking in some of the other attractions on site (if applicable), buying from a farm stand or market, or purchasing from a retail store that sells locally grown ap

A note about the author: Kaye Lindsley is a Montessori preschool teacher and Summer Programs Assistant Coordinator at Willowwind School in Iowa City, IA. Did you know you can grow carrots INSIDE? You need the correct set up, but it is certainly possible! Just ask my preschoolers at Willowwind School. First, you need the right kind of carrot - Tonda di Parigi carrots, to be specific. They are somewhere between the size of a cherry tomato and a radish. I purchased a packet at E

Ask someone to tell you their favorite thing about the Iowa State Fair. I’ll bet my grandstand tickets that the answer you get includes something edible. Probably on a stick. It’s true that corn dogs draw the masses. But this eleven day foodfest is truly a fantastic celebration of Iowa’s people and the state’s rich agricultural heritage. An Iowa State Fair ticket is an invitation to experience and to learn. Did you know? During the fair, an average of 18 cows are milked d

A note about the author: Rick Roghair is the Professional Development Manager for the Iowa Association for the Education of Young Children. The Iowa Core Knowledge of Child Development assists every adult with ideas, no matter who they are or how they connect in a positive way with children from birth to age five. As a Farm to ECE provider, you understand this piece more than most. You know that balanced nutrition and physical activity help set the stage for healthy habits an

The kitchen probably has to be one of the most favorite places for children to play – but they can also learn a lot, too! It is a natural place for young children to take steps toward independence in concrete, fun, and creative ways. By providing a few items within their grasp and reviewing safety, you are setting them up for success! Every child has a huge capability of learning and they can surprise us a lot if we just trust and allow them to be independent. Preparing food

By: Mrs. Peanuckle Illustrations: Jessie Ford Over a year ago, I was at a Farm to Early Care and Education conference and won the book ‘Mrs. Peanuckle’s Vegetable Alphabet.' I won the book for participating in a cooking contest with the challenge of making a kid-friendly kale hummus. The hummus conquered the judges' taste buds, thus I received the book. Board books and vegetables are both favorites of mine so it was a great prize. Mrs. Peanuckle’s Vegetable Alphabet introduc

Looking for a way to use those berries from your fresh berry-picking adventure or from your own garden? How about serving these star-spangled pancakes from the USDA Mixing Bowl in honor of the upcoming 4th of July holiday? In addition to serving fresh, local, or garden-grown berries, consider purchasing yogurt from an Iowa dairy such as Kalona Supernatural, Country View Dairy, or AE. Note: This recipe is written for large quantity preparation, but can be adjusted for househol

What does "farm to school" mean? What does it have to do with me? Where can I find out more? Here's your one-stop shop! Learn about how farm to school (& farm to ECE) works, or take your farm to school activities to the next level. Join us at the in Pella, IA on June 21st and 22nd. Farm to School and Farm to ECE activities in Iowa are helping put local food in front of children, supporting Iowa farmers, and connecting students to local food systems through gardening and nut