The Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program is intended to increase knowledge of agriculture and improve the nutritional health of children, and to bring together stakeholders from the distinct parts of the food system to increase the capacity for food, garden, and nutrition education within host organizations or entities, such as school cafeterias and classrooms, while fostering higher levels of community engagement between farms and school systems.
The goal of these efforts is not only increasing access to school meals for underserved children, but also to dramatically improve their quality and to decrease food loss and waste through student, school and community engagement.
The Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program is also focused on the development of leadership skills, knowledge, and qualities are necessary to prepare students for food and agriculture and related careers in the private sector, government, and academia. Specific activities may include:
- Developing practical applications to increase understanding of leadership roles, including critical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills; ethics and professionalism; and working in teams;
- Connecting the academic classroom experiences with daily leadership roles and organizational activities;
- Providing opportunities for mentoring and shadowing; and
- Organizing leadership academies, workshops, trainings, etc.
Eligibility
State agricultural experiment stations; colleges and universities; university research foundations; other research institutions and organizations; Federal agencies; national laboratories; private organizations, foundations, or corporations; individuals; or any group consisting of two or more entities described herein.
The FY 2024 Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program (Competitive Grant Program) Request for Application is now available. Please visit Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program RFA funding opportunity page.
Program-Specific Resources