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AmeriCorps Farm to School Program

AmeriCorps F2S logo

Now Accepting Host Site Applications for the 2023-2024 Service year! See below for more information.

 

Overview

What is AmeriCorps?

 
AmeriCorps is a national service program that engages over 80,000 members in service each year to solve pressing national problems through direct service and by mobilizing millions of volunteers for the organizations they serve. 
 
 

What is the AmeriCorps Farm to School Program?

 

The AmeriCorps Farm to School Program provides an innovative approach to building healthy communities by

  • improving child nutrition through the implementation of educational F2S activities for students and families. These activities encourage healthy eating choices within an educational setting;
  • developing strong communities by creating future community leaders and connecting schools with local farmers and food businesses; and
  • increasing the capacity of communities all over Wisconsin to support sustainable F2S programs that encourage healthy behaviors and improve the school food environment.

Program Impact

Check out our program impact reports from the past three service years to see how applying to become a host site could positively impact your community. If you are interested in joining our program yet this year or would like an accessible version of either report, please contact Kara Ignasiak . Applications for the next service year will be released in March.

Apply to Serve

Enrollment for the 2023-24 service year will open late April/May. Stay tuned for more information!

member recruitment

There are no current member slots available for the 2022-2023 service year. This is subject to change based on host site availability so keep checking back! AmeriCorps member applications for the 2023-2024 service year will open late April/May. In the meantime, if you have questions about the program, how serving with our program might fit into your career path, or how the application process works, please contact Kara Ignasiak .
 
To learn more about what it’s like to be a member, check out AmeriCorps members, Alyssa Morris and Amberle Schwartz, along with their program director, Kara Ignasiak, on 90FM Tuning Fork station's Farm to School episode!

 

Timeline for New Member Enrollment:

  • May 2023 - Member recruitment for the 2023-2024 service year
  • August 15, 2023 - Service year begins
  • August 21-23, 2023 - New member orientation (Location TBD)
  • August 14, 2024 - Service year ends

2023-2024 Member Benefits

Full-Time Members:

 
  • Total living allowance – $30,600 (subject to slight change)
  • Education award (upon successful completion) - $6,495 (subject to slight change)
  • Health insurance
  • Child care benefits
  • Attendance to a professional conference
  • Ongoing professional development opportunities and training
  • Student loan deferment

Half-Time Members:

 
  • Total living allowance – $16,200 (subject to slight change)
  • Education award (upon successful completion) - $3,247.50 (subject to slight change)
  • Attendance to a professional conference
  • Ongoing professional development opportunities and training
  • Student loan deferment
Apply to Become a Host Site

Now Accepting Host Site Applications for the 2023-2024 AmeriCorps Farm to School Program Service Year!

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) is accepting applications for new and continuation partner sites across Wisconsin for the AmeriCorps Farm to School Program. For more details on AmeriCorps and the Farm to School Program, please refer to the New Site Application linked below. Additional questions may be sent to Kara Ignasiak .

Note: Continuation sites are considered sites that hosted AmeriCorps Farm to School members in the 2022-2023 service year. To determine if there is a current host site in your community please refer to our host site map.

Timeline:

  • March 17, 2023 – Notice of Intent to Apply Due to DPI
  • March 31, 2023 – Continuation Application or New Host Site Application Due to DPI
  • April 1 to 23, 2023 – DPI Application Review Process
  • April 24, 2023 – Target Date for Grant Award Notification
  • April through August 2023 – Host Site Member Recruitment and Onboarding
  • August 15, 2023 – Program Implementation
If you are wondering how this program can benefit your school, local school districts, or community, check out our program impact reports listed above.

quote from Laura Rowell, director of school nutrition, "our members have been instrumental in giving us the time and resources we needed to make our dreams happen. For example, this summer we are implementing a 2-acre school garden (which will produce hyper-local and nutritious produce for our cafeteria!) and offering a summer school course for sixth and seventh graders in the district. Our members have been working hard to collaborate with multiple departments in the district as well as community partners and volunteers to get the project up and running! We are incredibly happy with our decision to bring AmeriCorps Farm to school to our district and look forward to future successes with the program!

Thank you for your interest in becoming an AmeriCorps Farm to School Host Site in the 2023-2024 service year!
AmeriCorp F2S Promotional Videos

americorp farm to school logoThe AmeriCorps F2S Program: A year of service, a lifetime of success

school garden day logoWisconsin School Garden Day 2021, 2022

chili lunch logoWisconsin Chili Lunch 2021, 2022

great apple crunch logoGreat Apple Crunch 2020, 2021

 

 

Thank you to all of our past and current AmeriCorps Farm to School members.

This work would not be possible without you!

 

2017-18 service members

2017-18 Service Members
 

Americorps service members for 2019-2020 2019-2020 Service Members

2022-23 Service Year Americorp Members2022-2023 Service Members

2018-19 service members

2018-19 Service Members
 
Americorps service members for the 2021-2022 school year
2021-2022 Service Members 
 
 
 
 

Contact

Kara Ignasiak, MS, RDN, CD
AmeriCorps Farm to School Program Director/Nutrition Education Consultant
 

Non-Discrimination in Employment

It is against the law for organizations that receive federal financial assistance from AmeriCorps to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, sex, age, political affiliation, or religion. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, creed, age, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy, marital status or parental status, sexual orientation, or disability. It is also unlawful to retaliate against any person who, or organization that files, a complaint about such discrimination. In addition to filing a complaint with local and state agencies that are responsible for resolving discrimination complaints, you may bring a complaint to the attention of AmeriCorps. If you believe that you or others have been discriminated against, or if you want more information, contact:
 
Equal Employment Opportunity Office
AmeriCorps
250 E Street, SW
Washington, DC 20525
(202) 606-7503
eo@cns.gov

americorps farm to school logo and americorp logo