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.
Why do AmeriCorps Farm to School members serve?
Candace: There’s no better way to contribute to my local neighborhoods than by helping children learn about food, nutrition, and gardening.
Maddie: I’ve been amazed by the ways in which students are able to build confidence and connect with others from something as simple as making a meal together.
Emily: I serve because it is important for children to learn about good nutrition and where our food comes from. I also believe everyone should know how to grow their own food.
Kati: I serve to share the joy of connecting with plants and to show healthy food can be delicious, nourishing, and fun! We are here to care for each other and care for Earth.
Maire Cait: Serving through gardening and culinary education feels like the most important investment I can make in the collective future our of city.
David: I serve because I want to help ensure people have nutritious, delicious, and safe food to eat and that they are aware how it was made and where it was produced.
Maya: A huge amount of personal autonomy is gained from learning outdoors in garden settings. Everyone should have access to healthy, sustainably grown food.
Danna: I serve to empower young people to understand the power of health. I teach young people that they can make a difference in their own lives, however big or small.
Mari: I see power in growing food: in the ways it forces us to think creatively, work as a team, and learn in new and exciting spaces.
Renesha: I get my hands dirty and work with schools to create green spaces and educational programming that reestablishes our connection with the land.
Deena: I serve because I think we need to focus on local economies. It is important for young people to know how to grow local food and eat more healthy diets.
Kate: I serve because our children are our future and good nutrition is everything.
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.
Enrollment for the 2023-24 service year will open late April/May. Stay tuned for more information!
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
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.
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.
Thank you for your interest in becoming an AmeriCorps Farm to School Host Site in the 2023-2024 service year!
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