In September 2008, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) launched the AmeriCorps Farm to School Program. Citizens participating in AmeriCorps programs not only enrich the lives of the people and communities they serve, but also their own lives through professional and personal development. Currently, twenty AmeriCorps members serve at ten schools across Wisconsin.

The goal of the AmeriCorps Farm to School program is to provide an innovative approach to decreasing childhood obesity by promoting healthy eating habits in students and increasing access to local foods in schools. The program provides two half-time AmeriCorps members per site: a local food procurement member and a nutrition education member. The food procurement member identifies and addresses hurdles school districts face when procuring local food including distribution, processing, pricing and building relationships with farmers. The nutrition education member develops and implements curriculum and wellness plans that teach students about healthier eating habits.

This program is made possible by:

Funding from Serve Wisconsin. Serve Wisconsin supports service in Wisconsin primarily by granting AmeriCorps funds through the Corporation for National and Community Service to organizations that involve citizens in service activities that meet human, educational, environmental, public safety and homeland security needs.

Program administration from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)

Partnerships with:

• UW-Madison Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems (UW-CIAS)
• Research, Education, Action and Policy on Food Group (REAP)
• WI Department of Health Services (DHS)
• WI Department of Public Instruction (DPI)
• Wisconsin Rural Partners (WRP)

2009-2010 AmeriCorps Farm to School Sites (PDF)
2008-2009 AmeriCorps Farm to School Sites (PDF)

For more information, contact:
Camilla Vargas
Camilla.Vargas@wi.gov
608-224-5017