The Farm to School Podcast

Rick Sherman & Michelle Markesteyn

Stories from the frontlines of food, farming, and education—where young minds grow and agriculture takes root.  Join co-hosts Michelle Markesteyn and Rick Sherman as they explore what it means to bring local food into the school cafeteria and teach kids about where their food comes from with guests from around the world!UPDATE: Show notes, contact information and more at  https://extension.oregonstate.edu/podcast/farm-school-podcast  Please stop by to say hello and to suggest a show topic!

  1. NOV 4

    Tiny Tots: Big Gardens - The Farm to ECE Episode

    Welcome to a world where tiny hands plant big ideas. Today, we’re digging into the magic of Farm to Early Care and Education — a movement planting real food, real connections, and lifelong curiosity in our youngest learners. From toddlers discovering where carrots come from, to preschoolers who can pronounce “photosynthesis” with sticky fingers and big wonder, we’re exploring how gardens, farmers, and early educators are growing habits — and hopes — that last far beyond snack time. Because when we plant seeds in little soil and little hearts, the harvest just might change the world. We would love to hear from you! Send us a message.

    38 min

  2. OCT 23

    Lunch Across America

    From museum magic to school lunch makeovers, this episode dishes up a coast-to-coast journey with The Henry Ford’s Spence Medford and Christy Sherding. Discover how a historic innovation hub is shaking up school meals, spotlighting edible education, and launching a national movement—complete with chefs, students, and a documentary premiere. Hungry for change? Grab your lunch tray and tune in!  We would love to hear from you! Send us a message.

    43 min

  3. OCT 6

    Planting the Next Decade: One State's 10-Year Vision for Farm to School

    Today we’re taking you behind the scenes of something that doesn’t always sound exciting, but shapes everything we do—strategic planning. Stick with us, because this isn’t your typical dry ‘vision statement’ talk. This is the story of how one state brought together farmers, schools, nonprofits, and agencies to chart a bold 10-year vision for Farm to School. We’ll share how hundreds of voices shaped the process, why it matters far beyond Oregon, and how a plan on paper can actually spark a movement.  We would love to hear from you! Send us a message.

    25 min

  4. SEP 15

    Sunny Side Up: A Bright Future for Farm to School From Policy to Plate; A Conversation With NFSN’s Sunny Baker

    What do karaoke, universal school meals, and a stripe of gray hair have in common? Sunny Baker. In this episode, we sit down with the National Farm to School Network’s very own Senior Director of Programs and Policy to talk about the wins, woes, and what’s next for school food. From pandemic lessons to policy dreams, Sunny brings the fire, fun—and the future of farm to school. We would love to hear from you! Send us a message.

    19 min

  5. SEP 2

    Planting the Future: From Seedlings to Systems – Inside One State’s Farm to School Institute

    What happens when school teams, cafeteria leaders, teachers, and students gather in a botanical garden to grow more than just vegetables? Welcome to the Oregon Farm to School Institute — part summer retreat, part action-planning bootcamp, and all heart. In this episode, we dig into how this unique two year-long program is sprouting real change across the state. You’ll hear from the program’s director, a passionate educator, a thoughtful student leader, and more — all working to root farm to school deeper into culture, curriculum, and community. From hydroponic lettuce to high school leadership, this is farm to school like you’ve never heard it. We would love to hear from you! Send us a message.

    29 min

  6. AUG 19

    School-Supported Agriculture: Alice Waters Reimagines Farm to School

    When Alice Waters speaks about food, she’s not just talking about what’s on the plate—she’s talking about culture, community, and the future of our children. Best known as the founder of the legendary Chez Panisse restaurant and one of the people that started the farm-to-table movement, Waters has spent decades proving that how we grow, prepare, and share food can transform lives. Now, she’s taking that philosophy beyond the kitchen and into the classroom with a bold vision: School-Supported Agriculture. It’s more than a meal program—it’s a movement to connect students directly with local farms, nourish bodies and minds, and plant the seeds of ecological literacy in every school garden. MM We would love to hear from you! Send us a message.

    47 min

  7. AUG 4

    First Foods, Lasting Legacy: Indigenous Foodways at Chemawa Indian School

    At the Chemawa Indian School, food is more than nourishment—it's culture, tradition, and connection. Meet the Staff reviving First Foods through student-driven menus, community cooking, and a deep respect for Indigenous knowledge. We would love to hear from you! Send us a message.

    34 min

  8. JUL 14

    Cooking up Change: How Local Tamales are Transforming School Lunch

    Meet Lucy DeLeon, the tamale maker turning family tradition into a statewide school lunch success. From migrant roots to feeding thousands of students in her state, Lucy shares how culture, hustle, and heart are transforming school meals—one tamale at a time.  We would love to hear from you! Send us a message.

    34 min
See All (52)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
15 Ratings

About

Stories from the frontlines of food, farming, and education—where young minds grow and agriculture takes root.  Join co-hosts Michelle Markesteyn and Rick Sherman as they explore what it means to bring local food into the school cafeteria and teach kids about where their food comes from with guests from around the world!UPDATE: Show notes, contact information and more at  https://extension.oregonstate.edu/podcast/farm-school-podcast  Please stop by to say hello and to suggest a show topic!

Information

  • Creator
    Rick Sherman & Michelle Markesteyn
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    52
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Farm to School Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Farm to School Podcast

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