Maine Farm to School Network Strategic Priorities 2020-2023

The Maine Farm to School Network serves as a connection space and resource hub for Maine organizations working on farm to school initiatives.

The National Farm to School Network envisions a nation in which farm to school programs are an essential component of strong and just local and regional food systems, ensuring the health of all school children, farms, environment, local economies, and communities. As the state partner to the national network, Maine Farm to School Network’s mission is to build a communication and coordination infrastructure at the school and community level to support farm to school programs throughout Maine.

The Maine Farm to School Network is working to set priorities and direction for the next 3 years. The Network wants to hear from you - please share your voice and vision and help identify priority areas that will support your Maine farm to school work.

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* 1. What is your primary role in Farm to School?

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* 2. What is your primary involvement with Maine Farm to School Network (MFSN)?

MFSN Leadership Council

Serve on a subcommittee

Attend MFSN events

Utilize MFSN communications and resources

Other (please specify)

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* 3. Which Maine county/area do you primarily work in?

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* 4. The mission of MFSN is to “build a communication and coordination infrastructure to support farm to school programs throughout Maine.” Please rank how important you feel the following activities are to accomplishing this mission, on a scale of 1 - 5 (1 = most important / 5 = least important).

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* 5. Are there activities not on this list that you feel the network should explore to help advance its mission?

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* 6. From 2017-2019 MFSN has been working on 5 strategic priorities. Please rank how important you feel the following areas are as priorities for the next 3 years on a scale of 1 - 5 (1 = most important / 5 = least important).

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* 7. These are emerging areas of interest for the network as of 2019-2020. Please rank how important you feel the following areas are for the network to prioritize for the next 3 years, on a scale of 1 - 5 (1 = most important / 5 = least important).

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* 8. Are there any additional priorities you would add, that aren't on the above list?

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* 9. Please select the top 3 greatest areas of need for advancing your farm to school initiatives.

Webinars / virtual training options available throughout the year (on a variety of FTS topics of interest)

Curriculum development (for classrooms or on-farm learning)

Communications and marketing support (for program advocacy to a variety of audiences - meal program participants, policymakers, funders, etc)

Technical assistance for procuring local foods

Professional learning opportunities for school nutrition staff to incorporate more local foods in school meals

Technical assistance for developing / sustaining school gardens

Funding and/or grant opportunities

Statewide policies that support farm to school

District / school policies that support farm to school

School kitchen infrastructure

Staff and/or volunteer support

Other (please specify)

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* 10. What other information, suggestions, or ideas should we consider at the virtual Strategic Planning session?

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* 11. Please select how you would like to be involved in the Maine Farm to School Network in the coming 1-3 years (select all that apply):

Interested in serving on a subcommittee

Interested in serving as a Leadership Council member

Interested in attending events and/or trainings

Help with fundraising and development

No capacity/time for further involvement

Other (please specify)

Optional Demographic Data

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* 12. What is your age?

Under 18

18-25

26-35

36-45

46-55

56-65

Over 65

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* 13. How do you identify racially? You can select all that apply.

African

African American or Black

Asian

Hispanic or Latinx

Middle Eastern

Native American or American Indian

Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander

White or European American

Two or more races

Prefer not to answer

Other (please specify)

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* 14. To which gender identity do you most identify? You can select all that apply.

Male

Female

Non-binary

Prefer not to answer

Other (please specify)

Maine Farm to School Network Strategic Priorities 2020-2023

Question Title

* 1. What is your primary role in Farm to School?

Question Title

* 2. What is your primary involvement with Maine Farm to School Network (MFSN)?

Question Title

* 3. Which Maine county/area do you primarily work in?

Question Title

Question Title

* 5. Are there activities not on this list that you feel the network should explore to help advance its mission?

Question Title

* 6. From 2017-2019 MFSN has been working on 5 strategic priorities. Please rank how important you feel the following areas are as priorities for the next 3 years on a scale of 1 - 5 (1 = most important / 5 = least important).

Question Title

* 7. These are emerging areas of interest for the network as of 2019-2020. Please rank how important you feel the following areas are for the network to prioritize for the next 3 years, on a scale of 1 - 5 (1 = most important / 5 = least important).

Question Title

* 8. Are there any additional priorities you would add, that aren't on the above list?

Question Title

* 9. Please select the top 3 greatest areas of need for advancing your farm to school initiatives.

Question Title

* 10. What other information, suggestions, or ideas should we consider at the virtual Strategic Planning session?

Question Title

* 11. Please select how you would like to be involved in the Maine Farm to School Network in the coming 1-3 years (select all that apply):

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* 12. What is your age?

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* 13. How do you identify racially? You can select all that apply.

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* 14. To which gender identity do you most identify? You can select all that apply.

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* 15. Additional comments or questions