Producer Training
Thank you for registering for the Montana Farm to School Producer Training! This page has been converted from a resource page for the two trainings hosted in 2022 and 2023 to a self-paced virtual training.
More Information + Questions
Aubree Roth, Montana Farm to School Coordinator
(406) 994-5996
About The Training
Farmers, ranchers, processors, and other local food businesses can learn strategies for selling products to schools and child nutrition programs with the Montana Farm to School Producer Training. This training was developed using Bringing the Farm to School curriculum and originally offered live in 2022-2023. This page has been converted to allow for the training recordings and resources to be accessed as a self-paced virtual training.
Producers that attend this training will:
- Learn about accessing school markets and growing products for schools.
- Hear from producers that have successfully navigated school markets.
- Gain new knowledge and resources for integrating school markets into a business plan.
- Meet local peers and experts.
- Experience school markets and farms.
Hosts and Sponsors
The two original trainings were hosted by Montana Team Nutrition Program at Montana State University and Montana Office of Public Instruction in collaboration with project partners including: Alternative Energy Resources Organization, Great Northern Development Corporation, Headwaters RC&D, Intertribal Agriculture Council, Mission West Community Development Partners, Montana Department of Agriculture, Montana Department of Livestock, Montana Farmers Union, Montana State University Extension, National Center for Appropriate Technology, Northern Plains Resource Council, Northern Pulse Growers Association, Snowy Mountain Development Corporation, and USDA Office of Community Food Systems.
This project was supported in part by the Food and Nutrition Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Farm to School Network, Montana Wheat & Barley Committee, and Great Northern Development Corporation.
This project has been funded at least in part with Federal funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the view or policies of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Training Sessions + Resources
How to Navigate This Training
This self-paced virtual training is divided into four sessions. Each of the four sessions provides different content and it is intended that individuals will complete all four sessions. Each session has a section below that includes the training video, slides, recording transcript, and a list of resources referenced in the recording.
Training Materials
If you requested a printed packet in your registration, we will mail you a packet of resources to the address your provided. Please have the Producer Workbook, Action Planning Guide, and Worksheets with you during each of the sessions. You will be referring to and using these materials throughout the sessions. The Action Planning Guide and Worksheets are also found in the Appendix of the Producer Workbook, but we have provided them separately, so they are easily accessed rather than flipping through the Producer Workbook.
Alternately, you can use the electronic versions available below.
Session 1
Session 1 Resources
- Please watch the training recording above prior to the next session. Originally recorded November 2022. Disregard any dates or logistical instructions given during the recording.
- Session 1 Slides
- Session 1 Transcript
- Benefits of Farm to School for Producers
- Virtual Montana School Kitchen Tours
- Applied Activity – Finding the School Meal Program For You
- Shopping in the Real World
- School Food Service Account is Nonprofit…SCA Funds
- Special funding opportunities currently exist – part 2
- OPI’s Montana Schools Directory
- Montana Harvest of the Month Sites
- Montana Crunch Time
- Montana Harvest of the Month
- CACFP Site List
Session 2
Session 2 Resources
- Please watch the training recording above prior to the next session. Originally recorded November 2022. Disregard any dates or logistical instructions given during the recording.
- Session 2 Slides
- Session 2 Transcript
- FSMA Inflation Adjusted Cut Offs
- Where to Get Help with Food Safety:
- Where to Get Help with Food Safety - Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network
- Meat - School Sales and Food Safety Regulations
Procuring Local Meat, Poultry, Game, and Eggs for Child Nutrition Programs
ATTRA - Working with Your Meat Processor
- Montana Department of Livestock- Meat and Poultry Inspection Bureau
- Buying Local Meat in Montana Consumer Options MontGuide
- Contact Information
Session 3
Session 3 Resources
- What’s On The Menu? Sample Menu
- Montana Farm to School Summit 2021: Livingston Food District Kitchen Tour
- Applied Activity – School Meal Brainstorm Sample Menu
- Meat Processing Facilities
- Additional Child Nutrition Program Regulations
- Options for Processing Raw Products Off-Farm
- Examples of Processed Products
- Funding Opportunities
Session 4
Module 4 Sections A + B
Module 4, Section C: Crop Production and Planning
Module 4, Section D: Animal Protein Production and Planning
Hardin Farm to School Presentation
Farm to School at Hardin School District, NFSN
Hardin Chosen for Get Schools Cooking Program
Conclusion Module
In the Field with Wickens Ranch
In the Field with Local Bounti
Session 4 Resources
- Session 4 Slides
- Session 4 Transcript
- In the Field with Wickens Ranch Transcript
- In the Field with Local Bounti Transcript
- Farm to School Hardin Slides (Session 4 Part D)
- Iowa State Extension Ag Decision Maker
- Business Planning Resources, ATTRA
- LivePlan—Business Planning Software (Some Food and Ag Development Centers or Small Business Development Councils may be able to provide you with free or discounted access.)
- Montana Food and Ag Development Centers
- MSU Extension Offices—Business Planning Assistance
- Small Business Development Center Network
- Veggie and Livestock Compass
- Financing Resources--Digging Deeper Section (Page 31) in Producer Workbook
- Value Added Producer Grants
- State Labor Office Contacts
- Agricultural Employment Regulations
- USDA Grade Standards
- Farm Commons (Farm Law Resources)
- Whole-Farm Revenue Protection Insurance Information
- Johnny’s Seeds Planning Tools and Calculators
- CogPro—Recordkeeping Platform
- Podcast with Karla Buck from Bear Paw Meats
- Moving Forward Together--Strategies for Montana Beef to School
- Getting Started with Beef to School
- Packaging and Processing Resources, Niche Meat Processing
- States Operating their Own MPI Programs
- How Much Meat to Expect from a Beef Carcass
- Livestock Compass
- Small-Scale Egg Handling
Next Steps
You may be wondering, "what's the next step"? A good first step is to use the content provided in the training to prepare information about your business and products you can offer to schools. Next, begin contacting child nutrition programs (schools, early care and education sites, afterschool programs, etc.) in your area to set up meetings with child nutrition professionals and/or administrators.
You can also look for events that can connect you with these programs! Montana Team Nutrition Program, Abundant Montana, and partners are hosting a series of producer and school connection events in 2023 called Montana Food for Montana Schools. Learn more on the Montana Farm to School Trainings & Events page.