2026 Farm Hop

Friday, September 25, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM

Hosted by the Northwest Indiana Food Council

🍎 Farm to School in Action: Friday, September 25, 2026, 9 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. CDT -

This tour showcases how local farms and school districts are nourishing the next generation with locally grown foods and scratch-made meals.

• Visit two working farms actively growing food for school meals
  (DeJong Farm, Garwood Orchards)
• Enjoy a thoughtfully prepared, locally sourced lunch at LaPorte High School, located in LaPorte, Indiana, where food is celebrated in both the cafeteria and the classroom (limited lunch-only tickets available)
• Visit the Region Roots Local Farm & Food Hub and learn how it connects farms to institutions year-round

🍽 What’s Included

• A thoughtfully prepared, locally sourced lunch
• Guided tours and behind-the-scenes access
• Opportunities to connect with farmers, healthcare professionals, educators, and community leaders
• A compelling look at how local food is advancing community health, education, and regional resilience

📌 Important Details

• Lunch will be served at 12:30 PM.
• Lunch-only guests should plan to arrive by 12:30 PM (location details provided in advance)
• Tours begin and end at Grounded Earth Farm in Crown Point. Please plan to arrive at Grounded Earth Farm, located at 11105 Fathke Road in Crown Point, Indiana, between 8:30 and 8:45 a.m. From there, you’ll board a bus that will take you to the participating farms and our lunch location. We’ll return to Grounded Earth Farm by 3:30 p.m. to conclude the day.
• Note: Because part of this event is outdoors, some areas may present challenges for those using mobility aids. There will be walking on properties that contain natural, uneven or possibly irregular terrain. Visitors assume all risks associated with walking on unpaved surfaces.

🎟 Ticket Policy

Tickets are non-refundable but may be transferred to another attendee. If unused, tickets will be considered a donation supporting the ongoing work of the Northwest Indiana Food Council.

⭐ Become a Sponsor or Donor

Can’t make it to FarmHop? You can still make a difference. By becoming an event sponsor or making a donation, you’ll help expand farm-to-school initiatives and food-as-medicine programming that connect local farms to our community. Check out our 2026 sponsorship opportunities or contact Cheryl Dornberg, Board President and Sponsorship Manager, at cheryl@nwifoodcouncil.org, to discuss your options.