2024 GOLDEN ROOT AWARDS

Celebrating Iowa Farm to School and Early Care!

The annual Golden Root Award is a celebration of Iowa schools, early care and education providers, and residential child care institutes working to grow and share their love of local food and community. Apply by April 10, 2024!

Eligibility: To be considered for the Golden Root Award, organizations must be actively participating in a USDA Child Nutrition Program.

2024 Timeline

  • Applications Open: March 1

  • Applications Close: April 10

  • Notice of Awards: May 1

Instructions

1. Preview the Application

  • Click here to preview the applications.

  • Click here to read about the 10 categories and examples of responses.

2. Compile Application Data

  • Select a lead applicant to head-up the process of compiling and preparing data.

  • Connect with colleagues to compile information BEFORE sitting down to complete your online application.

3. Apply by May 1, 2024!

  • Reserve 10-20 minutes to complete your responses after preparing responses.

  • Click “Next Page” to advance to additional questions; click “SUBMIT” on the final page.

  • You’ll receive email confirmation of your submission once complete.

Point-Based Awards

Every applicant will receive a Bronze, Silver or Gold award, based on how the applicant answers each of 10 categories included in the application. A framed certificate and virtual badge will be shared to promote your programs!

The 10 Application Categories

  • CATEGORY 1: Local Procurement

  • CATEGORY 2: Taste Testing

  • CATEGORY 3: Farm Field Trips

  • CATEGORY 4: Promotions

  • CATEGORY 5: Curricular Connections

  • CATEGORY 6: Edible Gardens

  • CATEGORY 7: Hands-On Learning

  • CATEGORY 8: Community Partnerships

  • CATEGORY 9: Staff Training

  • CATEGORY 10: Policy

Outstanding Awards

Three Outstanding Awards will be presented to sites showing the most growth. Outstanding Award applicants are asked to answer 1 additional question, sharing the motivation and purpose of your program, and the impacts on kids and communities.

Outstanding Award Categories

  • 2024 School of the Year

  • 2024 Early Care Center of the Year

  • 2024 In-Home Provider of the Year

Three 2024 winners will receive

Read about our 2023 Outstanding Award Winners!

  • 2023 Small School of the Year

    Alburnett Community School!

    The Nutrition Department at Alburnett works in close partnership with the FFA program, integrates farm to school into classroom curriculum, and partners with area farmers to engage students in farm-to-school experiences. The district has a passion to not only feed children and students, but to feed them local, nutritious, delicious foods. They host "Taste-test Tuesdays," featuring local foods, signage, feedback from students.

  • 2023 Large School of the Year

    Shuler Elementary School!

    In the Waukee CSD, Shuler’s Farm to School program was created to provide students with real life, hands-on learning opportunities to discover where their food comes from. Staff believe that when students connect with these topics early on, they will be empowered to make healthy food choices. Schuler participates in the district’s “Harvest of the Month” program, even growing lettuce to feature in the school lunch program!

  • 2023 In-Home Provider of the Year

    North Side Kids Daycare’s provider, Emma Eldeen!

    In-home provider, Emma Eldeen, is fascinated with all things botanical and brings this focus to her in-home child care program, North Side Kids Daycare in Iowa City. Her passion for farm to ECE connects her kids to all aspects of the thriving, on-site garden, giving students exposure to planting, harvesting, and tasting. Some of Emma’s childcare families have started their own gardens and help maintain the kids’ on-site garden!

  • 2023 Early Care Center of the Year

    Tri-County Head Start!

    Tri-County has been expanding their farm to ECE program for years! They developed take-home farm to ECE resources for at-home gardening and family learning during COVID. With a strong commitment to local procurement, they have developed dependable partnerships with local producers. For hands on learning and eating, they built indoor carts for year-round gardening and celebrations of local food!