Cultivating Connections: Michigan Farm to School Photography

sarahrypma
Jun 2, 2024
4 min read

Updated: 3 days ago

Michigan Farm-to-school photography became the focus of a two-year documentary project I created for the Michigan Department of Education’s 10 Cents a Meal program. Traveling across the state — from farms and food hubs to school cafeterias and classrooms — I documented the people and partnerships behind Michigan’s growing farm-to-school movement. The goal was to create a visual archive showing how local agriculture, schools, and communities connect through fresh food and shared purpose.

From Soil to Seedling: Michigan Farms

Every school meal begins long before the cafeteria line. It starts in Michigan’s fields, greenhouses, and hoophouses, where farmers plant, nurture, and harvest the ingredients that eventually make their way onto students’ trays.

Tractor at sunrise in a Michigan farm field preparing soil for crops grown for farm-to-school programs.

Michigan farmer handing freshly harvested radishes to another worker in a vegetable field supplying local schools.

As part of this statewide documentary project for the Michigan Department of Education’s 10 Cents a Meal program, I visited farms across the state to photograph the people behind the food. From carefully seeding greenhouse trays to harvesting vegetables in the field, these moments reveal the care and skill required to grow food for local communities.

Boersma Family Roots — Michigan Farm Partner

“Sarah is not only an incredible photographer but she is mindful, kind and funny. She made our farm look like something out of a magazine. She was patient with our son who proudly gave her a tour and showed her all of our vegetables. Her photography skills are unmatched and her energy is absolutely wonderful. Highly recommend for any type of photography needs, whether for business, nonprofit work, or family photos.”

Moving Food Through the System: Food Hubs & Distribution

Crates of local milk being loaded at a Michigan food hub as workers prepare deliveries for farm-to-school programs.

Farm-to-school programs rely on more than farmers and schools. Between the field and the cafeteria tray is an entire network of food hubs, distributors, and school nutrition teams working together to move fresh produce safely and efficiently.

Washing freshly harvested potatoes at a Michigan food hub preparing local produce for farm-to-school meal programs.

Across Michigan, these partners wash, sort, pack, and deliver locally grown fruits and vegetables so they can reach students while they are still fresh and in season. From hydroponic lettuce grown indoors to vegetables harvested from family farms, each step in the process connects local agriculture to school communities.

Worker packing fresh lettuce into bags at a Michigan food hub preparing local produce for farm-to-school programs.

Documenting these moments meant stepping inside packing rooms, food hubs, and school kitchens — places where quiet coordination turns local harvests into daily meals for thousands of students. It’s here that the farm-to-school movement becomes visible as a system: farmers, distributors, cafeteria staff, and educators all working together to make local food accessible in schools.

Alex Palzewicz — Northwoods Test Kitchen

“We loved working with Sarah to capture images of our kitchen and produce. The photos were beautiful, and she was such a pleasure to work with that day. She made the entire process feel comfortable and easy.”

Where It All Comes Together: Schools

For students, the farm-to-school story ultimately unfolds in classrooms and cafeterias. Across Michigan, schools participating in farm-to-school programs introduce students to fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables in ways that feel approachable and familiar.

Close-up of a person's hand arranging two school lunch trays on a round table. Each tray contains a carton of Prairie Farms 1% low-fat milk, fruit, vegetables, a sandwich, and a small serving of dip. Sunlight filters through a nearby window, casting warm shadows on the table. The image captures a healthy, nutritious meal setup as part of the Michigan Department of Education's 10 Cents a Meal Program, promoting local produce in school meals

An image showing a person's hands preparing a meal on a tray. The tray contains a sandwich made with a bun and various vegetables, as well as a side of asparagus. The background shows a refrigerator or food storage unit with various compartments containing different fresh produce items such as tomatoes, peppers, pineapple, and other fruits and vegetables

Dr. Jeff Thoenes — Superintendent, Comstock Public Schools

“Sarah came to our school district as part of a Michigan Department of Education feature and did a phenomenal job photographing our students and staff. The final images produced for MDE were delightful, and we would welcome her back to our school district in a heartbeat. Sarah made it a great day to be a Colt.”

The Full Harvest: The Impact of Farm-to-School Programs in Michigan

Michigan farm to school program preschool student eating fresh blueberries at school lunch

Each bite tells a story of interconnected communities. It celebrates the farmers who nurture crops from soil to harvest, the food hubs and distributors who move fresh ingredients across the state, and the cafeteria teams who transform those ingredients into nourishing meals for students.

Teacher showing apple flashcard to elementary students during Michigan farm-to-school classroom lesson

Just as importantly, the story recognizes the educators guiding students to build healthy relationships with food. A sliced strawberry, a crisp apple, or a tray filled with locally grown vegetables can spark curiosity about agriculture, nutrition, and the land that sustains us.

Farm to school photography Michigan showing vegetable rows at sunrise on a Michigan farm supplying local schools.

Over time, these everyday moments add up. Students learn where their food comes from, farmers gain stronger local markets, and communities strengthen the connection between agriculture and education. One tray at a time, Michigan’s farm-to-school programs are investing in a healthier future for students, farmers, and the communities that support them.

Cheyenne Liberti — Michigan Department of Education

“I worked with Sarah on a photography project that highlighted Michigan-grown produce being served to kids in schools. Sarah diligently met our project goals of showcasing different methods of food production and distribution, including traditional farms, hoophouses, hydroponic farms, urban farms, school gardens, and food hubs. I couldn't have been more impressed with the care and attention she gave to the stories behind the photos — kids learning to love fresh fruits and vegetables, farmers sharing their life's work with the next generation, and advocates working toward a more equitable food system. Her expertise and passion shine through in the flawless quality of the final work..”

Farm to School Photography Michigan:

Documenting Community Impact

Projects like this show how powerful visual storytelling can be for programs that bring together agriculture, education, and community development.

If your organization is working to tell the story of local food systems, agriculture, or community impact, I would love to collaborate.

Ready to tell your story? Let's Connect→

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Family & Commercial Photographer in Kalamazoo, Michigan