Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, the largest culinary school brand in the US, and the American Farm Bureau Federation, the nation’s largest general farm organization, have announced a new national collaboration designed to support the vital connection between farmers, ranchers and the culinary industry with education-focused programs, interactive events and training sessions.

Through this joint effort, AFBF will offer Escoffier culinary students opportunities to interact with farmers across the country to better understand and experience sustainable farming practices and innovations in agriculture, including virtual learning sessions that augment Escoffier’s curriculum as well as live farm-to-table events. Escoffier will also participate in AFBF’s convention, “Target Training” conference, “Amplify Agriculture” online series and networking events.

“This new alliance opens the door for us to cultivate meaningful relationships with aspiring chefs and culinary thought leaders and share advances and innovations in farming,” says AFBF president Zippy Duvall. “Farmers and ranchers produce the food that chefs choose and prepare every day. We look forward to sharing our stories and perspectives with those writing the menus that shape consumer dining trends.”

The collaboration kicks off Thursday, August 10 at 8:00 pm EST with AFBF’s “Amplify Agriculture” complimentary online episode, “Sowing Seeds of Knowledge: Exploring the Essential Collaboration between Farmers and Culinary Education.” Escoffier provost and Boulder campus president Kirk T. Bachmann and director of education Stephanie Michalak White will be interviewed and on hand for a live question and answer session. Registration is complimentary and open to the public. 

“It is essential to understand where our food comes from, how it’s grown and produced, and who better than farmers and ranchers to bring lessons on agriculture and best practices to life,” Bachmann says. “Escoffier’s commitment to farm-to-table and teaching sustainable practices is a natural fit with the goals of Farm Bureau members who are passionate about conveying the significance of agriculture. We are grateful for this opportunity to work together.”