Join the cohort! Bringing the Farm to School with Cornucopia Project
Do you want to play a role in Agriculture Education? NH Farmers— We’re Bringing the Farm to School! Are you interested in tapping into the farm-to-school or institutional market but feel held back by procurement red tape or volume requirements?
Cornucopia Project is excited to announce a new initiative designed to bridge the gap between local producers and the 14 schools within the ConVal and Jaffrey-Rindge districts. They are currently seeking 10 experienced local farmers to join our first cohort (starting April 2026) to help strengthen the regional food supply chain and bring fresh, local nutrition to over 3,500 students. Project goals are to increase institutional purchasing of local food by 15% in the first year and 20% in the second year, focusing on high-demand school menu items such as storage vegetables (carrots, potatoes, winter squash), leafy greens, herbs, apples, and sweet corn.
Why join the cohort?
- Direct market access: Understand the relationships and logistics needed to establish pilot sales with participating school districts.
- Expert technical assistance: Receive specialized training via the NCAT "Bringing the Farm to School" curriculum, covering crop planning, food safety protocols, and school procurement logistics.
- Stable income streams: Transition from a reliance on off-farm income to a reliable institutional buyer right in your community.
- Mentorship: Work alongside a cohort of high school Student Farmers, helping to train the next generation of New Hampshire food system leaders.
- Financial incentive: Producers receive a participation stipend!
Who should apply? Cornucopia Project invites New Hampshire farmers, growers, and producers in or near the Monadnock Region to join the cohort. Whether you are a small family farm looking to scale or a diversified operation ready to enter the institutional space, this project provides the infrastructure and support to make it happen.
“Bringing the Farm to School with Cornucopia Project” is supported by the New England Food Vision Prize, funded by the Henry P. Kendall Foundation.
