2024 - Your Commission at Work

USDA Farm to School Grant: From Farm to School: A Wholistic Approach

Began 7/1/2021; End date 12/31/2023

$71,845 grant funds with a $23,949 match from NCSPCF

Outcomes

Digital teaching tools were created to supplement the NC Sweetpotato Commission’s K-12 curriculum. Teachers were trained on how to use the tools and about the sweetpotato industry in NC. Over 120 teachers attended training in-person, virtually, and through e-learnings. Teacher kits were distributed to supplement classroom learning. Evaluations showed that students were engaged with the tools, teachers found value in the tools, and students gained more knowledge about science, agriculture, sweetpotatoes, careers, and more as a result of this project.

Tobacco Trust Fund Grant: Raising Consumption of NC Sweetpotatoes

Began 11/1/2023; End date 10/31/2025

$133,380 grant funds with a $11,470 match from NCSPCF

Goals: To grow a Registered Dietician influencer program to increase awareness of the benefits of sweetpotatoes to consumers by developing three Toolkits for RDs to use in their educational outreach programs. These three toolkits are Performance, Heart Health, and Diabetes. Distribute the newly developed Toolkits to nonprofit organizations, communities, consumers, etc. to increase sweetpotato consumption. Support a Fall Harvest Tour for up to 10 Registered Dieticians in 2024 and 2025 to learn more about NC Sweetpotatoes and the industry firsthand. To raise overall consumption of NC Sweetpotatoes and therefore farm profitability

Grant Management

In 2022, Spiron Solutions was contracted to manage the many grant activities for the Commission and Foundation. Vanessa researches grant opportunities which fit the mission of the NCSPC, applies for approved grants, and manages the activities within the scope of each grant, including submitting progress and final reports to the grantors.

Vanessa Spiron

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