Digging Deeper School Partnership Program
The Digging Deeper School Partnership Program was launched in 2018 as a targeted effort to support a culture of health and project-based learning in school communities. We work with schools to identify a focused grade; then, our staff offers a layered approach of program delivery to ensure that education about living and eating healthy is intertwined in classroom subjects and beyond to give students a rich, meaningful educational experience. As of the 2023-24 school year, we are providing this program for the Phoenix-Talent and Central Point school districts.
School Gardens
RVF2S school-based educators teach weekly garden classes to school-identified grades, bringing real-life applications to all core subjects, while teaching students the practical skills necessary for making healthy choices. Together, students and staff maintain a healthy garden space to be used as a living classroom and productive growing space.
Harvest of the Month
At the beginning of each month, RVF2S school-based educators serve samples of a local, seasonal fruit or vegetable to students in their own cafeteria. After sampling, students vote on what they thought about the new foods to foster a celebratory culture around trying new foods. Then, we work with school food services to ensure that the item is featured on the lunch line throughout the rest of the month.
Harvest Meal Farm Field Trips
Every partner class attends two Harvest Meal field trips a year to a partnering farm of their choice. Farms are staffed with each class’s school-based educator, building stronger relationships with students and connecting themes across programs.
Farm to Cafeteria
As Procurement Hub for the Southern Oregon, RVF2S works to increase connections between local producers and school food service staff. Each partnering school receives support from RVF2S staff to increase scratch cooking of not only farm-fresh, but school garden-grown produce.
Professional Learning Communities
RVF2S believes that school gardens are most successful when integrated into school culture. To actualize this, we work closely with teachers participating in the Digging Deeper School Partnership Program by offering quarterly professional development workshops that support teachers in utilizing their school gardens to their fullest potential, including skill-building and curriculum support.