Now Accepting Host Site Applications for the 2020-2021 Service Year!
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 two 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 January.
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Enrollment is now open for the 2019-2020 service year!
To apply for an AmeriCorps Farm to School service position, please fill out our online application. The online application also includes a complete list of available positions and host site locations. Our service year has already started, but we are still looking to enroll more members. 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 email kara.ignasiak@dpi.wi.gov.
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:
- Ongoing enrollment - AmeriCorps member applications accepted
- August 15, 2019 - Service year begins
- August 14, 2020 - Service year ends
Member Benefits
Full-Time Members:
- Total living allowance – $14,000
- Education award (upon successful completion) - $6,095
- 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 – $7,400
- Education award (upon successful completion) - $3,047.50
- Attendance to a professional conference
- Ongoing professional development opportunities and training
- Student loan deferment
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Apply to Become a Host Site
Now Accepting Host Site Applications for the 2020-2021 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 2019-2020 service year. To determine if there is a current host site in your community please refer to our
host site map.
If you are wondering how this program can benefit your school, local school districts, or community, here is an excellent testimony written by one of our host site’s school food service directors:
“At the Howard - Suamico School District, our vision is "to promote health and wellness by providing nutritious, kid - friendly meals". Through the efforts of our Nutrition Educator, the AmeriCorps Farm to School program perfectly couples with our vision of the School Nutrition Department to promote health and wellness to our students. Our Nutrition Educator was able to reach students through lessons in our elementary classrooms targeting balanced nutrition, agricultural production, and local purchasing. In addition, our Farm to School Community Outreach Coordinator has helped us find realistic local purchasing options by doing the research and forging connections with producers in our community. Together, 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!”
Timeline:
February 14, 2020 – Continuation Application or New Host Site Application due to DPI
February 15 to March 6, 2020 – DPI Application Review Process
March 6, 2020 – Target Date for Grant Award Notification
March through August, 2020 – Host Site Member Recruitment and Onboarding
August 15, 2020 – Program Implementation
Thank you for your interest in becoming an AmeriCorps Farm to School Host Site in the 2020-2021 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
2018-19 Service Members
Contact
Kara Ignasiak, MS, RDN, CD
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)
