Farm to School Program at Bowdle School District
Program Overview
The Bowdle School District is excited to announce the launch of the Farm to School program. This initiative is designed to support local ranchers, enhance our school lunch offerings, and provide educational opportunities related to agriculture, health, and nutrition. Our goal is to incorporate locally sourced beef into our school meals, replacing the current supply from USDA commodity food distributors. This effort will involve collaboration between local producers, community members, and the Bowdle School District to ensure students receive healthy, nutritious, and flavorful beef.
How It Works
We are seeking donations of locally raised beef from ranchers in our community. By participating in this program, producers will provide students with higher-quality meat while helping to lower the district's food costs.
Producers can contribute in two ways:
Donate an Animal: Submit a commitment letter or contact the school to schedule an animal for processing. Donors will receive a receipt for tax purposes.
Monetary Donations: Financial contributions can be made to support the purchase of quality animals from local producers, ensuring the sustainability of the program.
Types of beef eligible for donation:
Market Steers
Open Heifers
Cull Cows and Cull Bulls (processed into pure ground beef)
Benefits to Students
High-Quality Nutrition: Students will enjoy locally raised, delicious beef, rich in essential nutrients that support growth, repair, and overall health. This high-quality protein is crucial for physical activity and brain development.
Educational Opportunities: Students will learn about nutrition and develop lifelong healthy eating habits. Additionally, they will gain a deeper understanding of the agricultural industry and its significance in our community and beyond.
Benefits to the School
Local Sourcing: Bowdle Schools will serve locally raised beef, reducing reliance on external food service providers.
Agricultural Awareness: The program will give students a firsthand look at the impact of the beef industry in our community.
Benefits to the Community
Supporting Local Economy: By keeping funds within the community, this program strengthens the connection between the school and local producers, while raising awareness about the quality of food served in our school lunches.
Donor Recognition
We deeply appreciate the generosity of our community in supporting the Farm to School program. To honor our donors, we will provide various forms of recognition:
Media Recognition
Website Acknowledgment
Opportunities to promote "beef" at school activities
Important Note: According to the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and the USDA Farm to School guidelines, all donated meat must be processed at an approved facility. Producers interested in donating should notify the school, after which we will arrange for the processing of their cattle.
Your Support Matters!
Every contribution, whether beef or monetary, is greatly valued and appreciated.
To make a monetary donation, please send checks to:
Bowdle School School District
Attn: Farm in Schools Program
PO Box 563
Bowdle, SD 57428