Farm to Fork Network Shines in Nevada County
"A child is sacred enough to walk into a cafeteria and get the food they deserve."
The California Farm to School Summit brought together farmers‚ school leaders‚ and advocates to build on the permanent funding now in place for the state’s Farm to School Program. Local examples like Nevada City School of the Arts‚ recognized for its work through the California Food for California Kids program with leadership from Food Services coordinator Dre Maher‚ show how schools can connect students to fresh‚ regionally grown food while supporting nearby producers.
Maher was recognized with the Thriving Food Award for her work in creating a thriving local food network connecting students with more than 20 farms‚ fresh California grown meals and hands on learning from seed to plate.
CA Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom both emphasized the value of stronger connections between California farms and school kitchens. Looking ahead‚ these efforts can expand markets for farms in the 1st Senate District while improving meal quality and nutrition education in district schools. We are ready to help local producers and school partners connect with available resources as the program grows.
A Meeting with Glenn County Leaders
Thanks to Glenn County Supervisor Monica Rossman and County Administrative Officer Scott De Moss for making time for a deep conversation about the needs of the county and its people. Topics ranged from senior resources‚ Public Safety Power Shutoff concerns‚ DMV services and the volunteer firefighters for the county and some of the obstacles they must navigate to successfully serve the people of Glenn County.
Like many rural counties‚ Glenn has an aging population whose needs are especially difficult to meet because of isolation.
To help bring light to resources that are available‚ Glenn County recently launched an annual Senior Expo‚ which has grown dramatically and served seniors even beyond the county’s borders.
I appreciate these local leaders’ heartfelt and personal commitment to serving their people‚ in ways that meet the people’s needs‚ not just the government’s convenience.
Solar Project Takes Bite out of Renters’ Power Bills
Team Dahle recently joined the ribbon cutting celebration for a new solar and battery storage project at Pine Ridge Apartments in Portola‚ allowing 25 families to benefit from clean energy and lower electricity bills through the state’s Solar on Multifamily Affordable Housing Program‚ or SOMAH.
About two dozen SOMAH projects have been identified and 15 completed around the Senate district. This is especially meaningful work when so many families are struggling with rising utility costs.
A special thank you to the Center for Sustainable Energy and its team‚ the city of Portola‚ The Michaels Organization‚ and all the partners who helped make this possible.
Pictured are Sally Robinson‚ community manager‚ and her husband‚ Michael Robinson‚ maintenance supervisor‚ who help make Pine Ridge Apartments a welcoming place to call home.
Chico State Wins Grant to Train Rural Teachers
When I talk to school leaders serving the North State’s most rural communities‚ one of the struggles I consistently hear about is the challenge of hiring new teachers.
Our small towns are wonderful and welcoming places‚ but they are often far from teacher preparation programs and the pools of locals with the preparation for a credential are limited.
So I was very excited to read the news of a nearly $8 million grant won by California State University Chico’s School of Education to expand the pipeline of new teachers to work in rural schools.
The Rural Opportunities for Outstanding Teaching & Schools program – or ROOTS – will run four cohorts of 15 teachers each through a residency program‚ teaching during the day and taking classes at night‚ that will lead to a master’s degree and a teaching credential. Critically‚ a $42‚000 stipend will help those teachers pay the rent while learning the craft of leading a classroom.
The teachers to be will work alongside mentors in the elementary school districts serving Thermalito and Palermo‚ in Butte County‚ but I would love to see this model spread to other parts of the North State.
Applications for ROOTS will open soon for the next school year. More information is available here.
Congratulations and thanks to Chico State for its innovative work to bring new teachers into the profession.
A Glimpse of Bidwell Mansion’s Future
Since the Bidwell Mansion burned in an arson fire nearly two years ago‚ State Parks has been exploring possibilities for the property including the potential for rebuilding‚ hearing from members of the public about their vision for the future‚ and otherwise trying to “Reimagine Bidwell Mansion.”
Next weekend‚ State Parks will hold an open house to share its findings‚ alternatives‚ and timelines for future work. It will be held Sunday‚ Oct. 25‚ from 2:30 to 5 p.m. at Bidwell Park State Historic Park. Visitors can come and go on their own schedule‚ but there will be presentations at 3 and 4:30. For more information‚ click here.
Bidwell Mansion was a beloved monument and icon of Chico’s history. I hope locals will continue to play a role in shaping its future.