Agency Education Department

Contractor The Good Acre

SWIFT Contract Number 169966

Project Name Farm to School USDA Grant

Project Number (if applicable) {Empty}

Summarize purpose of the contract, including why it was necessary: In 2017, MDE worked collaboratively with The Good Acre and the Minnesota Farm to School Leadership team regarding the addition of Farm to School frameworks to the Fundamentals of Foods Culinary course and the Culinary I and II courses. This work initiated an application for the USDA Farm to School grant to create professional development/trainings on food systems, food access and food sustainability as well as assisting teachers develop resources, experiential learning experiences, broaden their knowledge of F2S principles and work with community partners in the food system career pathways, and deliver/embed content in curriculum for students. The train-the-trainer model enabled FCS teachers to design experiential hands-on immersive learning opportunities for students in a way that leverages the assets and resources within each FCS teacher’s own community. By avoiding trainings that provide teachers with scripted lesson plans and set curriculum to follow, FCS teachers would be able to tailor classroom experiences to reflect their students and stay relevant. Breen’s trainings stresses the formation of collaborations and partnerships within and outside the school, breaking free of classroom silos, presenting FCS teachers with the skills and guidance to create projects and learning opportunities with nutrition directors, AFNR teachers, local chefs, area farmers, state agencies and organizations working toward public health, nutrition education or social justice through food sovereignty.

Project Duration

Start Date Mon, 12/09/2019 - 00:00

Original end date Wed, 06/30/2021 - 00:00

Actual end date Wed, 06/30/2021 - 00:00

Did project finish on time? Yes

Total billable hours utilized (if applicable) {Empty}

Contract Amounts

Original contract: $53414.00

Amendments $0.00

Contract total $53414.00

Did project finish within budget? Yes

What was the funding source? federal

Is this a sole source contract? Yes

If this was a single source contract, explain why the agency determined there was only a single source for the services (if applicable) Yes, as MDE applied for the USDA grant to work specifically with The Good Acre and the University of Minnesota as we were in collaboration on other F2S projects which led us to the USDA grant.

Evaluator Name Michelle Kamenov

Evaluator Email Address Michelle.Kamenov@state.mn.us

Evaluate the contractor's timeliness We had to change timelines and funding (travel and hotel) due to COVID constraints, however, the contractors have met their deadlines.

Evaluate the contractor's quality High quality experience from The Good Acre and University of Minnesota Extension.

Evaluate the contractor's cost There was much in kind donation/match for both contractors. The cost was more than reasonable due to match work.

Evaluate the contractor's overall performance excellent

Would you engage the contractor's services again? Yes

Describe any negative action taken during the duration of this contract (i.e., termination, pursuit of suspension, etc.): NA

Please rate the overall experience with the contractor 5 - very satisfied