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DPI's AmeriCorps Farm to School Program Receives High Honor

Tuesday, August 24, 2021
governors service award
Kara Ignasiak holds the 2021 Governor's Service award with Maddie Smith, a service member at the Oregon School District, and Megan Wise, an AmeriCorps Fam to School alumnus. 

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s AmeriCorps Farm to School Program was recently named Program of the Year at the 2021 Governor’s Service Awards.

The Governor’s Service Awards are presented to exceptional programs, volunteers, and service members who work to change impending community disadvantages. Those presented with awards were honored for making superlative contributions to solve said hardships.

The DPI’s AmeriCorps Farm to School Program has connected thousands of classrooms to healthy living practices, locally sourced fresh food, agricultural exploration, and other nutrition related education. Those involved with the program have served close to 75,000 hours since 2017, when the program transitioned to the DPI.

As the pandemic changed the landscape of the classroom, the DPI’s AmeriCorps Farm to School Program followed suit and adapted to the new medium of instruction. Through virtual teaching, members successfully provided students with online nutrition lessons, cooking demonstrations, and farm tours. Many in the program wouldn’t let a pandemic stand in the way of their mission, as they worked to maintain their school gardens so students could come back to harvest in the fall.

Because of this hard work and dedication of the AmeriCorps Farm to School Program, Wisconsin students have access to healthy living knowledge and healthy nourishment. For more information on the AmeriCorps Farm to School Program visit the DPI’s dedicated webpage at https://dpi.wi.gov/school-nutrition/farm-to-school/americorps.

For a video of the award presentation, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n5hx_BX1q8.