Deadline: 31-Jan-22
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture is now accepting applications for the Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program (FASLP) to increase the knowledge of agricultural science and improve the nutritional health of children.
The program’s goal is 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 by bringing together stakeholders from distinct parts of the food system. The initiative is part of a broader effort to not only increase access to school meals for low-income children, but also to dramatically improve their quality.
Goals
The purpose of FASLP is to increase knowledge of agriculture and improve the nutritional health of children. The primary goals of FASLP are to:
- Increase capacity for food, garden, and nutrition education within host organizations or entities and school cafeterias and in the classroom;
- Complement and build on the efforts of the farm to school programs implemented under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act;
- Complement efforts by the Department and school food authorities to implement the school lunch programs established under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and the school breakfast program established of the Child Nutrition Act;
- Carry out activities that advance the nutritional health of children and nutrition education in elementary schools and secondary schools; and
- Foster higher levels of community engagement and support the expansion of national service and volunteer opportunities.
FASLP supports projects that 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 to not only increase access to school meals for underserved children, but also to dramatically improve their quality.
FASLP is also focused on the development of leadership skills, knowledge, and qualities are necessary to prepare students for food and agricultural 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.
Funding Information
The anticipated amounts available for the Food and Agriculture Service-Learning Program (FASLP) in FY 2022 is approximately $1,920,000 and FY 2023 is approximately $1,920,000.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants for the Food and Agriculture Service-Learning Program (FASLP) must meet all the requirements discussed in this RFA. Failure to meet the eligibility criteria by the application deadline may result in exclusion from consideration or, preclude NIFA from making an award. For those new to Federal financial assistance, NIFA’s Grants Overview provides highly recommended information about grants and other resources to help understand the Federal awards process.
- Application to FASLP is limited to the following groups: state agricultural experiment stations; colleges and universities; university research foundations; other research institutions and organizations; Federal agencies; national laboratories; private organizations, non-profit organizations, foundations, or corporations; individuals; or any group consisting of two or more entities described herein.
- The eligibility requirements are limited to the applicant. Project partners and collaborators need not meet the eligibility requirements. Failure to meet the eligibility criteria by the application deadline will result in exclusion from consideration.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=337049
