The Texas Dairy Industry’s Farm to School Program
Farm to school connects local producers to cafeterias, classrooms and gardens. This guide covers how it generally works and what a dairy should check before getting involved.
What is farm to school?
Farm to school is an approach that brings local food, education and agriculture into schools. Elements can include buying local foods for meals, school gardens and farm visits. The title refers to the Texas dairy industry's program in general terms, so check details directly with the organizers.
Start with the USDA for federal information and the Texas Department of Agriculture for state-level resources.
Programs often include gardens, taste tests and classroom lessons in addition to purchasing. A dairy does not need to supply food to be a valuable partner. Talking to students about where milk comes from can be the most useful thing you do.
Federal and state agencies offer resources and sometimes grants to support these programs, but eligibility and deadlines change. Look at the official sites before you build a plan around any funding, and ask your district or Extension office whether local funds are available.
How might a dairy take part?
A dairy can host a field trip, talk with students, donate educational materials or work with a processor that supplies school milk. Each option has different requirements, and the safest path is to start with education.
The dairy herd care guide gives a plain-language look at what students should learn, and Dairy MAX offers dairy education.
A good first step is to contact a teacher or principal you already know. Offer a one-hour visit with a clear plan, and ask for feedback afterward.
Remember that students may have allergies, dietary rules or cultural food customs. If you bring dairy samples to a classroom, coordinate with the teacher, label everything and have a non-dairy option ready.
What about selling to schools?
Selling to a school means dealing with food safety rules, licensing, insurance and purchasing procedures. Milk typically has to be pasteurized and processed in licensed facilities. Check current requirements with the FDA and the state health agency before promising anything.
A small farm may be better off partnering with a licensed processor than trying to do it alone. The small farm guide explains how small operations think about markets.
If you are interested in a processor relationship, ask the processor about its school contracts, quality requirements and what it would expect from your farm.
A strong visit tells a story with a beginning, middle and end: where the milk starts, how it is handled and where it goes. Bring a few props, like a clean bucket or a photo of a milking parlor, so students can picture the journey from barn to table.
- Check licensing
- Confirm insurance
- Understand purchasing rules
- Ask about volume needs
- Get terms in writing
How do farm visits work safely?
Visits involve children, animals and equipment, so safety planning is essential. Set clear routes, supervise closely, require handwashing and keep sick people away. CDC guidance on animal contact applies, and the farm safety guide covers general farm hazards.
Call your insurance agent before you host a group.
Weather matters too. Plan an indoor backup for visits, since Texas heat, wind and storms can derail a field day. Provide water and shade, and keep groups small.
If you are planning a garden or a farm stand with a school, think about who will tend it over summer break. Projects that rely on a single volunteer often fade, so build a small team of teachers, parents and neighbors.
What do teachers want?
Teachers want visits tied to what students are learning. Ask about grade levels and lessons, and offer simple activities. A short, interactive visit beats a long lecture.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension often supports ag education, and may be able to connect you with teachers in the Stephenville area.
Offer materials in more than one language if your community needs it, and ask the teacher what will help students feel included.
Keep an eye on food safety training. Anyone handling food for students should know the basics of hygiene and temperature control, and your local health department or eXtension resources can point to training options.
How do you build a lasting relationship?
Follow through. Show up on time, answer emails and thank teachers. Keep a simple record of visits so that you can improve each time. Over a few seasons, you may become a trusted resource.
For some lighter reading, farm.FM has dairy stories and farming stories, including a farm.FM piece about farm to school. Confirm current program details with the organizers.
Keep your promises small and your delivery steady. A reliable twice-a-year visit is better than an ambitious program that fizzles.
Document what works. A one-page summary of each visit, with what went well and what to change, becomes a guide for the next producer who wants to help. Share it with the school so the knowledge stays in the community.
Sources and further reading
- USDA: U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Texas Department of Agriculture: state agriculture agency
- FDA: food and drug safety
- CDC: public health
- Dairy MAX: dairy promotion in the Southwest
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: Texas extension service
Ask locally: Ask your school district, county Extension agent and the Texas Department of Agriculture.