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AmeriCorps Farm to School Program

AmeriCorps F2S logo

Now Accepting AmeriCorps Member Applications for the 2021-2022 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 is now open for the 2021-22 service year!

member recruitment

 

To apply for an AmeriCorps Farm to School service position for the 2021-2022 service year, please fill out this online application. The online application also includes a complete list of available positions and host site locations. We recommend getting your application in as soon as you can! For questions about the program, how serving with our program might fit into your career path, or the online application, please contact Kara Ignasiak.

Note: We also have a few select summer positions available with the Ithaca School District, Kickapoo Valley Forest School, and the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. These positions offer the opportunity to continue serving in the 2021-2022 service year. Please email kara.ignasiak@dpi.wi.gov to discuss this opportunity.

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:

  • Now accepting new member applications - recruitment will be open until all positions are filled, it is recommended to get your application in as soon as possible
  • August 15, 2021 - Service year begins
  • August 23-26, 2021 - New member orientation (all virtual this year)
  • August 14, 2022 - Service year ends

Member Benefits

Full-Time Members:

 
  • Total living allowance – $16,000
  • Education award (upon successful completion) - $6,345
  • 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 – $8,500
  • Education award (upon successful completion) - $3,172.50
  • Attendance to a professional conference
  • Ongoing professional development opportunities and training
  • Student loan deferment
Apply to Become a Host Site

The AmeriCorps Farm to School Program still has a few more opportunities to become a new host site for the 2021-2022 service year!

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) is accepting applications for new 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 (contact info below).

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 2021-2022 service year!

 

 

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

2018-19 service members

2018-19 Service Members

Contact

Kara Ignasiak, MS, RDN, CD
Nutrition Education Consultant

Non-Discrimination in Employment

It is against the law for organizations that receive federal financial assistance from the Corporation of National and Community Service 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 the Corporation for National and Community Service. If you believe that you or others have been discriminated against, or if you want more information, contact:
 
Office of Civil Rights and Inclusiveness
Corporation of National and Community Service
1201 New York Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20525
1-800-833-3722 (TTY and reasonable accommodation line)
(202) 565-3465 (FAX); eo@cns.gov (email) 

americorps farm to school logo and americorp logo