Application and Selection
Applications for the 2024–2025 program open January 2nd!
Applications for the 2024-2025 Institute will open in January 2024 and close March 1, 2024. Notifications of team selections will be made in April 2024. 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.
Please sign up for our newsletter or submit an interest form to indicate your interest in the program and hear when the 2024–2025 applications are open.
Review our FAQ page for more details about the program. For support on building your school team application, completing your coach application, or if you have additional questions, please reach out to Jessica Chapman, Farm to School and Early Childhood Education Program Coordinator, at [email protected].