Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** the community coordinated harvest…

Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** the community coordinated harvest of the month program in rural southwest montana, spearheaded by ST. Peter's health (SPH), embodies a collaborative effort aimed at advancingagricultural education and enhancing children's nutritional well-being. Acknowledging theimportance of preventive measures in addressing chronic health conditions, SPH coordinates amultidisciplinary team comprising community, educational, and medical stakeholders. Theprogram reflects the objectives outlined in the faslp grant:efforts will expand education through the montana harvest of the month communitycollaborative, in partnership with carroll college and helena high culinary arts students. Thiswill include comprehensive nutrition lessons and taste tests, promoting a deeper understanding offood origins and nutrition among students. Additionally, professional development and supportwill strengthen school garden efforts and USDA farm-to-school curriculum, increasing theimpact of existing program activities. The program will actively involve students in improvingthe quality of school meals and foster heightened community engagement, as proposed in thegrant objectives. Integrating national service members into the program will support its missionand align with the grant's emphasis on expanding national service and volunteer opportunities.additionally, montana state university (MSU), an external academic evaluator, supported bycarroll college students and dietetic graduate interns, will ensure robust data collection andanalysis. Findings will be shared with community partners, reinforcing ongoing community inputand ensuring sustained impact. Local schools will serve as a model for neighboring rural districtsand health systems, disseminating best practices to elevate population health in rural regions inperfect alignment with the grant's overarching goals.