More Than a Box of Vegetables: Our Family’s CSA Experience
As a mom, developmental specialist, and nutrition educator working with early childhood programs across the state of Alabama, I spend a lot of time talking about the importance of exposing children to healthy foods, creating positive mealtime experiences, and giving children opportunities to learn where their food comes from. This year, my family had the chance to put many of those ideas into practice in our own kitchen.
Growing Together: The 2026 Alabama Farm to ECE Summit
With support from the CDC-funded Healthy Kids, Healthy Future Technical Assistance Program, led by Nemours Children’s Health, in partnership with the Association of State Public Health Nutritionists, Alabama Healthy Kids, Healthy Future hosted the first Alabama Farm to ECE Summit.
Benefits of Community-Supportive Agriculture (CSA) for Families, Children, and Childcare Programs
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs provide families and childcare programs with regular access to fresh, locally grown foods while supporting local farmers and strengthening the community food system.
Bringing Farm to ECE Experiences into the Classroom with the Alabama Foods from A to Z Toolkit
The Alabama Foods from A to Z Toolkit can be used in various early childhood settings, including child care centers, family child care homes, Head Start programs, Pre-K classrooms, and more. This toolkit is a collection of resources and information for providing food and farming education to young children.
Growing Connections with Local Farmers in Alabama
In Alabama, we’re blessed with rich farmland, hardworking growers, and a strong sense of community. Connecting early learners with this agricultural heritage through Farm to Early Care and Education (Farm to ECE) programs not only promotes healthy eating, it plants the seeds of curiosity, empathy, and environmental awareness.
July Blog: Summer Harvest Fun in the Childcare Classroom
Summer is a time of growth and abundance, and even if you can’t visit a farm or market, you can bring the harvest experience into the childcare classroom!
🌿June Blog: Things to Do with Early Learners at the Farmers Market
June is the perfect month to take early learners on a trip to the farmers market! If you’re looking for hands-on activities to engage young children, here are a few ideas to make your market visit meaningful and fun.
🍓June Blog: Things To Do with Early Learners in the Classroom
If you can’t take your early learners out to the farm or market, why not bring the farm experience into the classroom? Here are some great ways to introduce farm-to-table lessons this June.
Taste of the Farm: Planting Seeds of Learning with Farmer Shelia Daniels
On Earth Day, we had the joy of bringing the farm experience directly to the children of Kids of Character Learning Center, LLC in Livingston, Alabama. With 7 dedicated teachers and nearly 40 bright, energetic students, the day was filled with hands-on discovery, laughter, and learning—all led by local farmer Shelia Daniels of Sowing and Growing.
Little Garden Chefs: No-Cook Recipes with Kids in May
Springtime in Alabama brings a burst of life to garden space, and there’s no better time to bring young children into the garden to learn, explore, and create. For early childhood educators, gardening offers rich, hands-on experiences that nurture curiosity, responsibility, and healthy habits. And guess what? You don’t even need a kitchen to turn these garden moments into snack-time fun.
