NAME: Jenn Rogge
TIME AT CDFA: 3 Years
PROGRAM: California Farm to School Program
POSITION TITLE: Farm to School Network Regional Lead
USUAL DAILY ACTIVITIES ON THE JOB: I support farm to school food and educational systems in the Superior (Far Northern) Region of California. I provide resources and network connections to help producers and school food authorities (SFAs) work together. I also provide resources and connections to educators teaching farm to school related subjects like agriculture, ecology and nutrition. Lastly, I am thrilled to support our Farm to School Incubator Grant Program grantees whose groundbreaking work continually improves school food and educational opportunities in our CA Farm to School Network. From day to day, you will find me sending curriculum, how to’s and guides, or connecting partners through Zoom meetings, farm tours or regional events. I can be found at my desk in rural Northern California, on ranches or farms, or at workshops and conferences with varying partners and stakeholders.
HOW DO YOU WORK FOR THE CALIFORNIA FOOD SUPPLY? Food systems are complex and producers and food service authorities speak their own diverse professional languages. I help the beginning of the food chain, the producer, speak to the end of the food chain, the school food market, and vice versa. For example, if a food service director wants local apples, I help them define local, find producers within that geographic preference, define fruit type, fruit size, pack size, delivery requirements and more. On the other end, I help the producer understand what they will need to provide to work with the school to sell those apples. And no two farms or SFAs operate the same way; it is a diverse and exciting market. I once heard Secretary Ross say, “If you’ve seen one farm, you’ve seen one farm,” and I wholeheartedly agree.
THOUGHTS OF WORKING AT INSPECTION SERVICES? The most incredible people care about food systems, and I’m thrilled that Inspection Services hosts our Farm to School Program. I have seen unmatched dedication to California’s agriculture, producers and farmworkers from the entire Inspection Services team. I’m honored to be a part of it and to serve the people who nourish us with incredible food.
MEMORABLE MOMENT ON THE JOB? Getting to know the people who care about food systems and farm to school programs has been an honor. Farm tours that connect these people to one another in the literal field have led to incredible moments. A rancher once introduced his herd of Bonsmara cattle to food service directors. He laid down in the field so that the cows would get curious and come visit our group and show us how gentle the cattle were. We all sat in the lush green pasture with his gentle bovine giants for a long time, a beautiful moment.
PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE? Oscar Wilde penned my favorite quote, “A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world.” I believe we must have a vision of our future to take steps to get to that future. I can see a food system that connects entire communities in health and prosperity. It’s wonderful to be a part of the team making that dream a reality.
FAVORITE PASTIME? I alternate being a complete homebody and an outdoorsy nature enthusiast. I can either be found gardening, cooking, reading and knitting or out in the wilderness hiking, backpacking or mountain biking.
SOMETHING UNIQUE ABOUT YOU? I started my career as an ecologist and quickly discovered that our food systems are intricately connected with nature. There is a special place in my heart for people who grow food in community with the natural world and appreciate the bugs, bees and frogs as much as the produce they grow.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SAY? I truly believe farm to school can save the world. Ask me anytime about my unofficial Ted Talk on the subject.