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Monthly Farm to School News from Growing Minds
December 2024
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December is a month that leads us into holidays, breaks from school, time with family and friends, and of course—delicious, hearty meals! It is a special time of year where loved ones come together and share dishes passed down through the generations. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to let kids help prepare some part of the meal. Depending on their age, kids can wash, peel, and chop veggies using a kid-safe knife, measure and mix ingredients, and pick which herbs to use. Let kids smell or taste different herbs—such as rosemary, thyme, parsley, or mint—and choose their favorites. Exposing them to these positive food experiences are memories they will have for a lifetime. And hopefully one day, they will share these traditions with their own children, family, and friends!
Enjoy savoring the season,
Debbi, Danielle, and Suzi
We asked:
“What’s happening in your classroom that’s making you feel hopeful right now?”
You said:
“Over the past two weeks, we have finally been able to have our Early Head Start and Pre-K classes come out to our garden for weekly garden-related lessons and play. It has brought so much light into my day to see the inquisitiveness, eagerness for learning, and the unashamed joy that the kids bring to their outdoor learning environment. They love to be a part of the growing process—from planting onion bulbs to watering Swiss chard and kale—and it truly gives me hope that the next generation is full of bright minds that will meet the challenges ahead with creative and mindful solutions. With an ever-growing need for resilience in the face of climate change and changes to our food system, seeing the future in the eyes of these little ones makes me believe in a little seed of hope planted inside each one of them.” —Elise Molinaro, AmeriCorps Member and Garden Coordinator at Verner East in Buncombe County
What’s making you feel hopeful right now?
Email growingminds@asapconnections.org to be included in a future newsletter!
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Root crops come in many shapes and sizes. Many root crops can be grown in the fall and left in the garden to harvest in November, December, and January. Carrots, beets, and rutabagas are traditional storage vegetables that will withstand many frosts. Kids love harvesting root veggies—it’s exciting to unearth the beautiful root from its hiding place in the soil! Find these root veggies and more at your local farmers market!
Roast root vegetables in the oven, create a root veggie soup, or make them into oven fries or chips. Try the following local food recipe with your students or family, and use our Kids Cooking Bingo card card to keep track of the cooking skills they’re developing. Looking for more fall recipes? View some of our favorites here!
Maple-Glazed Root Veggies
Serves 4-6 (or 20 taste test servings)
Roasting root vegetables concentrates their natural sugars, making them sweet and tender. This recipe can be easily adapted to include your favorite root veggies. If you would prefer a more savory dish, you can mix in a few garlic cloves or sprigs or fresh herbs (like rosemary or thyme) to the veggies before roasting, and omit the maple syrup or honey.
Ingredients:
2 large beets*, peeled
4-5 medium carrots, peeled
2 Tbsp. butter
2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 Tbsp. maple syrup or honey
Salt and pepper
*If you don’t enjoy the earthy flavor of beets, you can substitute with another root vegetable, such as parsnips, turnips, or sweet potato.
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 425°F.
- Cut carrots and beets into 1/4-inch thick, 3-inch long matchsticks, or into 1-inch chunks. Place vegetables in a 13 x 9 inch baking dish or on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Toss veggies with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes, until the veggies are almost tender and can be pierced with a fork.
- Remove from the oven and mix in the butter and maple syrup or honey. Return to the oven for 5 more minutes to melt the butter. Toss to coat before serving.
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Winter Solstice Lanterns
Winter solstice is the first day of winter and the shortest day of the year. It also signals a return to light with the sun beginning its ascent to summer heights. In December when the garden is more dormant, we recommend using the solstice as an opportunity to get outside with your kids. For thousands of years, the trees and plants listed below have been important to the celebration of the solstice both as symbols and decorations. Go for a walk or even a scavenger hunt to find them, and check out our Growing Minds Day by Day educational resource for more solstice activity ideas.
- Evergreens were a symbol of immortality, since they were the only trees to stay green when all the others lost their leaves.
- Yews represented the death of the old year and were a connection between this world and the next.
- Oak trees were revered for being long-lived. Even though they were not evergreen, they were symbols of eternal life and considered a source of protection, strength, and endurance.
- Rosemary, an evergreen shrub in warm climates, was called the herb of the sun.
- Birch trees symbolized new beginnings.
- Mistletoe stood for peace and happiness.
- Holly was used for protection and good luck.
- Pine symbolized peace, healing, and joy.
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Shipley Farms in Watauga County
As daylight hours wane and the calendar year wraps up, many farmers in Western North Carolina let their fields begin to rest. However, a new year is just around the corner, and it’s a great time to begin sparking children's imaginations about farming before the spring. We have curated a diverse, compelling collection of brief videos highlighting farmers around the region, and it’s available for all educators and families to use in their homes and classrooms! Check out the “Meet Your Farmer” series here!
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Farm to ECE Academy with Growing Minds
Are you an ECE site in Western North Carolina interested in starting a Farm to ECE program, or taking your existing program to the next level? We can help with that! Join the Growing Minds Farm to ECE Academy for the 2024-25 school year. Learn more and complete our interest form.
Growing Minds Farm to School Training
February 19th, 2025 from 3:30-4:45 pm
In this training you will learn about the different components of farm to school, hear how you can use our toolkits and resources to support your farm to school goals, and brainstorm activities you can use in your classroom. All are welcome no matter what your experience with farm to school is! Please register in advance for this training. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Growing Minds Farm to School Program is part of Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP), a nonprofit based in Asheville, NC. Visit growing-minds.org to learn more.
Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program
Deadline: January 10, 2025
For the first time, USDA is allowing organizations to select the type of Farm to School Grant that best fits their needs by offering three different requests for applications. Each organization can only submit one application for one grant. Learn more and apply here.
USDA Professional Development for Agricultural Literacy (PDAL) Program
Deadline January 31, 2025
K-14 teachers earn $1500 to attend a 5-day experiential learning program. Priority is given to K-14 schools working with socially disadvantaged and underserved populations in North Carolina, including teachers/staff who work as full-time employees in rural and urban areas and also teachers/staff who support students with special needs. Learn more about the program here.
Fruit Trees For Your Community
Deadline: Applications accepted on rolling basis, no deadline
The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation (FTPF) is an award-winning international nonprofit charity dedicated to planting fruitful trees and plants to alleviate world hunger, combat global warming, strengthen communities, and improve the surrounding air, soil, and water. Apply now for an FTPF Orchard!
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Free Hurricane Relief Resources
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Reconnecting Through Hard Times
Tuesdays, 11am-12pm through January 14
This training offers simple, powerful strategies to help others after a crisis. Learn more here.
Listening Circles for WNC Residents
Wednesdays, 12-1pm through January 15
Listening Circles help us name what is most difficult about them and practice tools that can help with the stress, right now. Learn more here.
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Our office is located at 306 West Haywood Street, Asheville, NC 28801. We are open to the public Tuesday through Thursday from 9am to 5 pm. Call 828-236-1282 or email
Growing Minds is a program of ASAP (Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project). ASAP's mission is to help local farms thrive, link farmers to markets and supporters, and build healthy communities through connections to local food.
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