Food & Farm Fellowship

Farm to School Initiatives

Historic Johnson Farm is pleased to be in the 2nd year of a 2 year USDA Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant.

The federal Farm to School grant program supports initiatives that connect U.S. school children with farms and farming. Nationwide, the program awarded 154 grants this year; in 2024, Historic Johnson Farm was one of only two grant recipients in the state of North Carolina.

This grant creates a rare opportunity for Henderson County Public Schools teachers. Small groups of HCPS teachers spend time at Historic Johnson Farm and other farm sites redesigning some of their classroom lesson plans so they can be taught as hands-on projects at the Farm. Teachers will receive training and coaching support from state-wide educational consulting company, Constructive Learning Design. During the year-long experience, HCPS  students will also come to the Farm and test-drive the lesson plans their teachers have developed.

“This grant is so great because it will create a lot of opportunities for HPCS students, especially students who are a little older, to come and learn here on the Farm.” says HJF Executive Director, Mandy Gibson.

Titled “RootEd in Food and Farm,” this new project is a partnership between Historic Johnson Farm, Henderson County Public Schools, and Constructive Learning Design. HJF also would like to thank UNC Asheville’s Office of Postsecondary Planning and Preparation for their support and technical assistance in making this opportunity possible for HCPS teachers and students.

Members of the 2024-2025 Food & Farm Fellowship.

Student projects from the 2024-2025 Food & Farm Fellowship.