Application and Selection
Applications for the 2025–2026 program open January 2nd!
Applications for the 2025-2026 Institute will open in January 2025 and close February 28, 2025. Notifications of team selections will be made in April 2025. Program expenses during the summer retreat are generously supported by the Arkansas Department of Education and the United States Department of Agriculture. Any travel and incidental expenses are the responsibility of the participants.
Building a Team
We promote and value teams that encompass individuals with varying levels of experience and roles within the program. Assemble your farm to school team, consisting of 4–7 members, ensuring a rich diversity of stakeholders:
For school-based or early childhood teams:
Teams should consist of 4–6 members, each representing different segments of the school and community. It is required that teams include individuals from the following three positions: administrative staff, teachers, and school nutrition/food service personnel. Moreover, supplementary members may encompass family members, farmers, community collaborators, school nurses, other staff, school board members, and others.
For school district-wide teams:
Teams should be formed with 5–7 members who represent a range of stakeholders within the school and community. Essential positions for the team include district-level administration, teachers, and school nutrition/food service personnel. Moreover, supplementary members may encompass family members, farmers, community collaborators, school nurses, other staff, school board members, and others. In your application, kindly specify one or two specific schools within your district that will be the focal point for implementing your farm to school action plan.