Florida Farm to School Conference
Explore Our Agenda
This year, we are embracing our theme of Cultivating Connections to increase students’ access to fresh Florida commodities in our schools, offer healthier meal options for Florida’s children and get students involved with nutrition and agriculture education through school garden activities.
Our agenda reflects the tools you need to participate in and promote Florida Farm to School through the three pillars: School Gardens, Agricultural Education and Procurement.
We’re excited to welcome you to the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld for this year’s Conference.
Parking options for attendees include discounted self-parking at $19 per day and valet parking at $54 per day.
We invite you to stay in one of the many nearby hotels. Whether you’re here for the day or an extended stay, you’ll find a range of accommodations to suit your needs.
Join us for a tour of the 4Roots Farm Campus, where you’ll have the opportunity to learn about 4Roots’ mission, programs, sustainability initiatives and regenerative agriculture practices.
Get a sneak peek into their state-of-the-art greenhouse, equipped with nine different innovative growing systems, including an aquaponics system designed to mimic nature. Wander through a food forest, comprised of over 100 diverse edible plant varieties, where the 4Roots team demonstrates permaculture principles that maximize soil and ecosystem health.
The 4Roots Mobile Market will also be on-site for you to stock up on fresh Florida produce and merchandise as you wrap up your visit!
Join us for a tour at Southern Hill Farms to discover a fun and educational agricultural experience! Southern Hill Farms is a 120-acre family-owned and operated agritourism farm growing u-pick blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, peaches, seasonal vegetables, sunflowers and zinnias in their respective seasons, along with commercially harvested blueberries and strawberries. Originally, their blueberries were solely commercially harvested until 2014 when they opened the farm for their community to enjoy.
Today, Southern Hill Farms is a beloved destination within Clermont and the Greater Orlando area, welcoming guests for their winter and spring u-pick seasons as well as their annual fall festival, a family tradition to remember. Southern Hill Farms offers the community a chance to know their local farm and love their local farmer.
- Connect with schools looking to purchase from local farms.
- Network with and learn from fellow farmers already selling to schools.
- Attend interactive presentations and workshops designed to give you tips and resources to simplify selling to schools.
- Apply to market and sample your products with school nutrition decision makers at our Farmers Market Expo.
- Explore how to get involved with students’ agricultural education to inspire the next generation of farmers.
- Network with other SNPs from across the state to learn best practices and get inspiration.
- Understand changes to procurement processes that can help you source local commodities more efficiently and cost effectively.
- Sample a variety of Florida foods, while networking with local farmers and producers.
- Attend hands-on workshops and recipe demonstrations, showcasing innovative ways to use fresh, local ingredients in school meals while gaining CEUs.
- Access the latest strategies and resources to incorporate nutrition and agriculture education into your curriculum.
- Network with fellow educators and share best practices for developing engaging education programs for students of all grade levels.
- Explore the benefits of school gardens and how they can provide hands-on learning experiences for your students.
- Attend immersive workshops and visit a local farm.