Farmers are often looking to improve their operation either by minimizing expenses or adding revenues.

One of the ways to try to add revenues is to look for new marketing opportunities.

A potential market opportunity for some local farmers is to participate as a grower in the Clark County Farm-to-School program this coming growing season.

The concept of Farm-to-School is to promote purchases of locally-grown foods by the local school system, then serve that food to our children in the schools.

Research shows fresher is better.

Locally-grown foods are packed with nutrients, and are much tastier when the time from farm to fork is shortest.

Using locally-produced food in the school cafeteria is great for our children.

Some farm-to-school programs also incorporate an educational component where children get to visit the farms on which their food is produced.

In some programs, the farmer comes into the local schools to share how they grow food for the schools.

In these ways, children learn more about how their food is produced and the value it has.

Another benefit of Farm-to-School is dollars are kept in the community. Dollars used to purchase food go to the local farmer, not to another state or even another country.

There are obvious challenges to Farm-to-School.

Most local fruits and vegetables are grown in the summer when school is not in session. However, every little bit helps the children and the local farmer.

There are some fruit and vegetable crops that can be harvested in the fall, or the spring while school is in session.

There are opportunities for farmers to receive incentive funding to construct hi-tunnels, or other technologies where some crops can be produced while school is in session.

Now there is much more opportunity that can help us overcome the challenges of growing product for a farm to school program.

We have a great opportunity for even the smallest of growers to initiate more Farm-to-School right here in Clark County.

We are seeking growers who would like to grow crops for the Clark County Schools in the upcoming growing season.

There is time to plant and grow crops for the spring that can be designated to local schools, and we have even more time to plan crops for next fall.

We have also received a grant to cover the cost of a part-time delivery driver, and packaging of fruits or vegetables grown for the schools as an additional incentive to farmers to participate in this program.

This is a great opportunity even for the smallest of farms.

Farmers can grow an entire season for a school, or can even grow a crop for a single delivery.

This program offers potential opportunity for farms that are even 1 acre or less in size.

If you would like to learn more about participating in the Clark County Farm-to-School program this growing season, plan to attend the annual Winter School Horticulture Night at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28., at the Clark County Extension Service office. Registration for Winter School is $10, but this covers horticulture night, beef night and industrial hemp night.

Learn more about Clark County Farm-to-School by calling 744-4682.

David Davis is a Clark County Cooperative Extension Service agent for for agriculture and natural resources.