All Alabama Farm to Early Care and Education Coalition programs are empowered to successfully source healthy local foods, build gardens, and offer food and agriculture activities that enrich the quality of early learning experiences for children and support the Alabama food economy.
October is the season of crisp mornings, falling leaves, and colorful harvests. In the early childhood setting, this is a wonderful time to connect children to the rhythms of the farm. Pumpkins, sweet potatoes, apples, and leafy greens are filling gardens and farmers markets, giving teachers and caregivers endless opportunities to spark curiosity and learning.
Few summer activities create as many memories as a family trip to the farmers market. September is the season of abundance, and markets are brimming with peaches, melons, peppers, okra, freshly baked breads, and jars of local honey. For children, a visit to the farmers market is an adventure filled with colors, smells, and friendly faces.
In early childhood classrooms, September is a month filled with wonder. Gardens that children planted in spring or early summer are now bursting with produce, colors, and textures that spark curiosity. For young learners, this is the moment when they see that their care such as watering, weeding, and observing truly makes a difference.
The Alabama Farm to Early Care and Education Coalition enriches early learning experiences by fostering the implementation of gardens, food education, and farm education activities. The Coalition also works to provide access to healthy foods by supporting local economies and purchasing locally.
The Coalition focuses providing opportunities that consider populations with varying socioeconomic statuses, abilities, and backgrounds.
Coalition members engage different sectors throughout the state to work together to address barriers faced by child care providers in Alabama.
The Farm to ECE Coalition seeks input and guidance from the individuals and groups directly affected by their work.
By utilizing a strengths-based approach, the Coalition keeps the needs and assets of community members a priority when making recommendations and thinking through solutions.
Members of the Coalition will strive to be transparent and communicate clearly about their work with the populations and communities they impact.
The Alabama Farm to Early Care and Education Coalition core values are a vital component of the Coalition’s work. By rooting their work in these core values, the Coalition strives to bring education and resources to every table in the child care field.
