Louisiana Farm to School Conference set for Oct. 8 in Baton Rouge
By Jacey A. Wesley
LSU AgCenter
BATON ROUGE, La. — The Louisiana Farm to School Conference is back for its ninth year, bringing together educators, farmers, school nutrition staff, administrators and community leaders from across the state. Hosted by the LSU AgCenter Seeds to Success: Louisiana Farm to School Program, the event will be held Tuesday, October 8, at Pennington Biomedical Conference Center in Baton Rouge from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This year’s conference focuses on building healthier school food systems by exploring the connections between education, gardening, local agriculture and school meals.
With the theme “Seeding Change, Harvesting Healthy Futures,” attendees will discover how fresh ideas and strong partnerships are shaping a more resilient and sustainable future for Louisiana’s students. Participants will explore how farm to school efforts are evolving across the state, from classrooms and cafeterias to gardens and local farms.
Conference sessions will cover a variety of timely and practical topics, including planning for sustainable school gardens, integrating hands-on farm to school lessons in the classroom, fueling farm to school programs through funding and resources and engaging farmers in meaningful, year-round local food integration.
The conference offers something for everyone, whether you're just starting out or looking to elevate existing efforts. Newcomers will find inspiration and guidance for launching school gardens or local procurement initiatives, while experienced educators and nutrition professionals will gain fresh ideas and strategies to deepen their impact.
“This conference is a unique opportunity for educators, farmers and community leaders across Louisiana to come together, share what’s working and learn from each other,” Crystal Besse, director of the Louisiana Farm to School Program, said. “It’s exciting to see everyone collaborating and building connections that help grow a stronger farm to school movement and create healthier futures for our children.”
This year’s keynote speaker is Katherine Pryor, an award-winning children’s book author and good food advocate. Her books are widely used in school gardens, nutrition education and anti-hunger initiatives, helping children connect with where their food comes from and why it matters.
Raised in California and Arizona, Katherine moved to Seattle to study food and farming. Beyond writing, she has worked to improve food choices in institutions, corporations, and food banks—making her a leading voice in the movement to nourish communities through education and action.
Online registration for the conference can be found at https://lsuagcenter.regfox.com/2025-farm-to-school-conference. The registration fee of $35 per person includes breakfast, lunch, refreshments and sessions throughout the day.
For more information, contact the Louisiana Farm to School Team at louisianafarmtoschool@agcenter.lsu.edu.