Now Accepting Host Site Applications for the 2024-2025 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 is still open for a few more positions in the 2023-24 service year (see the application for a list of open positions)! Enrollment for the 2024-2025 service year will open in May. Stay tuned for more information.
To apply for an AmeriCorps Farm to School service position for the 2023-2024 service year, please fill out this online application. The online application includes a complete list of available positions and host site locations. We recommend getting your application in as soon as you can! For more questions about the program, how serving with our program might fit into your career path, or the online application, please contact Kara Ignasiak .
To learn more about what it’s like to be an AmeriCorps Farm to School member, check out these interviews:
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, 2023 - Service year begins
August 21-22, 2023 - New member pre-orientation (virtual, exact times TBD)
August 28-30, 2023 - New member orientation (in-person at Treehaven UWSP in Tomahawk, WI)
August 14, 2024 - Service year ends
2023-2024 Member Benefits
Full-Time Members:
Total living allowance – $30,600
Education award (upon successful completion) - $6,895
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
Education award (upon successful completion) - $3,447.50
Attendance to a professional conference
Ongoing professional development opportunities and training
Now Accepting Host Site Applications for the 2024-2025 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 2024-2025 grant year in anticipation of receiving AmeriCorps Farm to School Program funding in the 2024-2025 grant cycle. Through an AmeriCorps (AC) grant, we are able to offer the AC Farm to School (F2S) Program to communities around Wisconsin.
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. Members gain valuable professional, educational, and life benefits while having a lasting impact on their community.
What is the AmeriCorps Farm to School Program?
The AC F2S Program provides an innovative approach to building healthy communities through:
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.
Increasing the capacity of communities all over Wisconsin to support sustainable F2S programs that encourage healthy behaviors and improve the school food environment.
Program Outline
Through an AmeriCorps grant, DPI is able to offer the AC F2S Program to communities around Wisconsin. With the support of their host site, AC members will serve to meet the following program performance measures:
Teach 4K-12th grade students a series of nutrition lessons that cover the Wisconsin Model Academic Standards for Nutrition;
Educate students’ parents through take-home activities including a monthly educational newsletter;
Administer surveys to determine the program impact on student nutrition knowledge and willingness to try fruits and vegetables;
Implement a minimum of three components of F2S (as defined below) to at least two different schools:
Local Procurement Educational Documents – Create and share at least five different educational documents on local food procurement with a school’s food service director;
Local Food Taste Tests – Introduce local foods through taste testing activities;
Menu Local Food Items – Incorporate local foods as menu items in a federal school meal program;
Farmer Engagements – Engage local farmers in educational F2S activities (e.g., classroom presentation, farm field trip, school garden work, etc.);
School Gardens – Help build or maintain a new garden or spend at least 180 minutes with students doing school garden activities and use the produce grown for taste tests, school meals, or donation to community members;
Promote the Wisconsin Local Foods Database to local producers and school nutrition directors through help with a statewide webinar and by handing out brochures/flyers to local farmers in their community;
Encourage local farmers/producers in the community to join the Wisconsin Local Foods Database;
Participate in or establish a F2S Task Force including at least five community members to promote program involvement and sustainability;
Participate in or plan at least five community events to promote the host site’s F2S program and build community support;
Train and support a sustainable base of volunteers to support program activities;
Participate in trainings and required program reporting and data collection;
Participate in AmeriCorps Week.
Each partner host site will be eligible to apply for one to four part-time or full-time AmeriCorps members who will serve as Farm to School Specialists. Host sites requesting a single half-time member are not exempt from completing all of the program components. We strongly encourage host sites to apply for at least two half-time or one full-time member(s) to ensure a well-rounded program with multiple components.
For more information on the application process, what our program is, what would be expected of you as a host site, what our goals are, and more, please refer to the Notice of Intent to Apply Form. If you have questions about the program, you may contact Kara Ignasiak at 715-214-6080 or kara.ignasiak@dpi.wi.gov.
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