Information for...Kids and TeensLibrariansUSDA Employees   You are here: Home / Know Your Farmer - Know Your Food                                                                                                                                                  Printable Page Revitalize your connection to agriculture. Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food! On this page... Every family needs a farmer. Do you know yours?Rural RevitializationFarm-to-InstitutionHealthy EatingDirect MarketingAg is Back Every family needs a farmer. Do you know yours? Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food United States Department of Agriculture. is a USDA initiative to promote sustainable local and regional food systems that will support small and mid-sized farms and ranches, strengthen rural communities, promote healthy eating, and protect our natural resources. Visit for detailed information about how existing USDA programs can support local food activities in communities, connections to USDA people working to support local and regional foods and forums to share stories, ideas, images and more. Live Facebook Chat: Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food United States Department of Agriculture. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Kathleen Merrigan hosted the USDA's first live Facebook chat on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009. The chat explored the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food (KYF) initiative and the Deputy Secretary fielded questions about local and regional food systems. More video from this initiative is on the Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food YouTube Playlist. Back to Top Rural Revitialization Rural Information Center USDA. National Agricultural Library. RIC provides information and referral services to government officials, community organizations, rural cooperatives, libraries, businesses, and citizens working to maintain the vitality of America's rural areas. Information to help farmers and ranchers find assistance is also available. Rural Scenes from the USDA History Collection USDA. NAL. Special Collections. Since its creation in 1862 USDA has had close ties to farmers and farming. Photographs from the National Agricultural Library’s USDA History Collection showing scenes of farm life from the 1940s and 1950s illustrate both the changes and the continuities which have shaped American farming. The Special Collections of the National Agricultural Library include thousands of such photographs which bring the rural America of the last century vividly to life. Back to Top Farm-to-Institution Community Food Systems and Civic Agriculture USDA. NAL. Alternative Farming Systems Information Center. Highlights information and organizations focused on agriculture and food in local/regional communities. Search for National School Lunch Week Collection materials USDA. NAL. Special Collections. Since its creation in 1946, the National School Lunch Program has provided more than 219 billion healthy school lunches. These photographs and children’s drawings from 10th (1956) and 20th (1966) anniversary celebrations of the National School Lunch Program commemorate the ongoing accomplishments of the program and its mission to establish and promote healthy eating habits in American schoolchildren. The National Agricultural Library collections contain a wealth of both current and historical information on the School Lunch Program and other USDA nutrition programs and on healthy eating in general. Farm to School and School Gardens USDA. NAL. FNIC. Healthy Meals Resource System. Children learn a great deal from growing their own fruits and vegetables. Find out how how to start a school garden of your own! "Gardening with Children" Resources from the Healthy Meals Resources System USDA. NAL. FNIC. Healthy Meals Resource System. Find garden theme ideas and activities, lesson plans, full curricula, activity books, and posters. Back to Top Healthy Eating Food and Nutrition Information Center Provides a directory to credible, accurate, and practical resources for nutrition and health professionals, educators and government personnel. Consumer Corner All About Food Eating for Health Dietary Guidance Nutrition.gov USDA. National Agricultural Library. A gateway to government information on nutrition, healthy eating, physical activity, and food safety for consumers, educators and health professionals. What’s In Food Smart Nutrition 101 Shopping, Cooking & Meal Planning Healthy Meals Resource System (HMRS) Provides technical assistance support and materials for Child Nutrition professionals. Includes training and education materials, approved Nutrient Standard Menu Planning software programs and also connects schools with chefs willing to collaborate with school nutrition programs. Fruits and Vegetables SNAP-Ed Connection USDA. NAL. Food and Nutrition Information Center. A resource system for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) nutrition education providers. (Formerly Food Stamp Nutrition Connection) Click and Go: Fruits and Vegetables Hot Topics A to Z: Fruits and Vegetables Nutrition through the Seasons Charles E. North Papers USDA. NAL. Special Collections. Charles E. North was a pioneer in the dairy industry and a leader in gaining public acceptance of milk pasteurization laws. His Papers contain correspondence, articles, reports, personal records, patents, photographs, and movies on a variety of subjects related to the development of the dairy industry during the first half of the 20th century. Back to Top Direct Marketing Direct Marketing USDA. NAL. Alternative Farming Systems Information Center. Farmers are finding new ways to shorten the marketing route, delivering products directly to their customers. Farmers' markets, CSA, agri-tourism, farm entertainment, direct sales to businesses and home delivery are only a few ideas. WIC Works Resource System (WWRS) USDA. NAL. Food and Nutrition Information Center. Nutrition service tools for health and nutrition professionals. The WIC Works Resource System (WWRS) provides on-line resources for staff working with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). Farmers’ Market Resources Farmers' Market Activity Book Celebrate Autumn in Rural America USDA. NAL. Rural Information Center. Enjoy the season in Rural America This page includes directories to locate "pick-your-own" farms by state or by fruit/vegetable. Back to Top Ag is Back Alternative Farming Systems Information Center Specializes in identifying resources about sustainable food systems and practices in support of USDA's effort to ensure a sustainable future for agriculture and farmers worldwide. Urban Agriculture and Community Gardening Food Security and Food Quality Poster Collection USDA. NAL. Special Collections. These images reflect the variety of materials in Special Collections' Poster Collection. Subjects depicted include the role of agriculture in World War I. During World Wars I and II, Victory Gardens were a vital source of food production as well as a remarkable illustration of American patriotism. Today the Victory Garden concept is making a comeback as Americans again embrace the idea of gardening and home-grown food as a way to maintain a healthy diet and environment. SNAP-Ed Connection USDA. NAL. Food and Nutrition Information Center. A resource system for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) nutrition education providers. (Formerly Food Stamp Nutrition Connection) Gardening Resources Food Preservation Tips and Resources Recipe Finder Database Back to Top Last Modified: Oct 8, 2009

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