Advocates highlight recent state funding increases and seek continued support for Farm to Kids programs

Policy leads summarized legislative progress last session and urged continued advocacy.

Laura Schreiber, government relations director at the Land Stewardship Project, said advocates secured increased funding for the Farm to School and Early Care Grant Program and reported baseline funding changes. Schreiber stated figures during the meeting: $1,500,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $1,540,000 for the following year (described in the talk as a $550,000 increase) and indicated a new baseline figure for 2028 (stated as $1,680,000). The transcript contains some numeric transcription irregularities; these figures and their fiscal-year designations should be verified against official legislative language and appropriations documents.

Schreiber also described enactment of a state-level local food purchase assistance program funded at $1,400,000 over two years, with a provision that 70% of that program’s purchases be made from farmers defined as 'emerging' under the program rules.

Erin McKee (co-lead for policy work) briefed attendees on the coming 2026 policy-setting legislative session (not a primary budget year), encouraged stakeholders to prioritize policy tweaks that improve program access and efficiency, and reiterated two consistent priorities: more funding for the existing farm-to-school/farm-to-early-care grant program and permanent support for regional coordination. Schreiber invited attendees to participate in storytelling, farm-to-school tours and a family farm breakfast and lobby day at the Capitol on March 11 to raise program visibility with legislative leaders.

Meeting speakers recommended sharing stakeholder stories, participating in local tours for legislators, and joining organized advocacy activities. Presenters emphasized that 2026 is an opportunity to prepare policy language and relationships ahead of future budget cycles.