Farm to School Leadership Academy

Begins September 2025 with a virtual orientation. First in-person gathering at Shelburne Farms October 2025. Virtual meetings through the winter. In-person gathering in Minnesota April 2026.

The Farm to School Leadership Academy brings together leaders and aspiring leaders who are committed to transforming food systems in schools. By focusing on education, resilience, and care, explore how transformational leadership, systems change, and community support can help strengthen and sustain your farm to school work.

Who should apply? The program is best suited for educators, coordinators, and school nutrition leaders working in farm to school and food education in K-12 settings. Priority will be given to those working in public school systems.

This program is offered in partnership with the National Farm to School Network. Funded in part through a grant from the US Department of Agriculture.

In this year-long program, you will be part of a cohort of 16 farm to school leaders that will meet throughout the year to:

• Support each other in being change agents, while building connections and solidarity in your farm to school work
• Engage in project planning, implementation, and evaluation around the change you are trying to create in your community
• Participate in peer-to-peer feedback, support, and guided reflection time
• Explore relational systems-thinking and tools
• Discover new ways of approaching challenges
• Share tangible and practical tools, including the use of art and storytelling

Join us for the Farm to School Leadership Academy and build the strategies and relationships you need as you pursue a healthier, more resilient food system.

The Farm to School Leadership Academy is a hybrid offering, with multiple group sessions throughout the year:
 

• September 2025: Virtual welcome & orientation session on Tuesday, September 30, 3:00PM ET
• October 2025: First 2.5-day, in-person retreat October 28-30 at Shelburne Farms in Shelburne, VT (travel October 27 and October 30)
• November 2025–March 2026: Four virtual group sessions in the second week of November, January, February and March. Specific dates and times TBD with cohort.
• April 2026: Second 2.5-day, in-person retreat the week April 27, 2026 in the Minneapolis, MN area (specific dates and location coming soon)
• May 2026: Final virtual gathering. Specific date and time TBD with cohort.
   

Throughout the year, participants will work on self-selected projects, gaining insight and wisdom from their peers, mentors, guest presenters, and the Land.

• How to Apply: To apply, complete the form using the link below. Our application includes several short answer questions designed to help us understand your background, goals, and interest in the program. To ensure you can provide thoughtful and thorough responses, we recommend drafting your answers in a separate document before copying and pasting them into the form. Applications are due  Monday, June 23, 2025.
• Eligibility: Eligible participants must currently work as an educator, coordinator, and/or school nutrition leader working in farm to school and food education in a K-12 setting. Priority will be given to those working in public school systems.
• Commitment: Participants must commit to all virtual and in-person  gatherings.
• Cost: Program registration and expenses for the Farm to School Leadership Academy are generously supported by the US Department of Agriculture at no cost to participants. Any travel and incidental expenses are the responsibility of participants.  Limited travel scholarships of up to $500 are available. Please indicate this on your application.