Please read all instructions before beginning your application!
Si necesita servicios de traducción para participar, envíe un correo electrónico a f2scollaborative@mollenfoundation.org -- se habla español.
Complete ONE application per team. Individuals may not apply. The application may be completed by any member of your school, district, or ECE team, but it is recommended to review the narrative questions and answers with the entire group prior to submission.
We welcome teams with varied perspectives and experiences across professional roles, cultural backgrounds, and ways of thinking to enrich the Collaborative experience. For any questions, doubts, or clarifications during the application process, do not hesitate to reach out to Jessie at f2scollaborative@mollenfoundation.org
Team Requirements:- School or Early Childhood Teams: Teams should include 4–6 members -- at least one administrator, one teacher, and a child nutrition/food service staff member. Additional members may include other faculty or staff members, families of students, farmers, board members, or community partners.
- District Teams: Teams should include 4-7 members with representation from district and site-level administration, teachers, and child nutrition/food service. Please identify 1–2 schools for focused action planning.
- All Collaborative Team Members must attend the 3-day planning retreat -- there is NO CHARGE for retreat attendance, room, or board, (funded by the USDA Office of Community Food Systems Farm to School Grant). Attendees are responsible to cover travel and incidental costs.
- To be eligible for the Arizona Farm to School Collaborative, schools must participate in Federal Child Nutrition Programs such as the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, or the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP).
- School teams are required to submit a letter of support from a district level Superintendent (or equivalent) and a Child Nutrition Director along with submission of this application to f2scollaborative@mollenfoundation.org. See the Information Guide for more details.
APPLICATION NARRATIVE QUESTIONS:We recommend drafting your answers in a separate document before submission. The same questions will appear on page 5 of this application, where you can then input your responses.
The following questions will ask you to describe your school's current Farm to School efforts in each of the three areas of the 3C's Framework: Cafeteria, Classroom, and Community. If you are not currently engaging Farm to School practices in one or more area, please share your understanding of how Farm to School might be expressed in that area on your campus.
Narrative questions are recommended to be 100-200 words per question.
- Describe the demographics and cultures of the population your school, early childhood center, or district serves.
- Describe how Farm to School practices are currently integrated into your classroom or curricular activities.
- Describe how your cafeteria or meal program currently incorporates Farm to School practices.
- Describe how your school or center connects Farm to School with the broader community (e.g., families, PTO, local farmers, organizations). Describe any past or ongoing partnerships with local farmers, food suppliers, or community organizations. How do you see these partnerships evolving through this program?
- Discuss campus initiatives currently in place that meet the unique needs within your student body population. How can participation in the Arizona Farm to School Collaborative support or strengthen these efforts?
- What specific goals does your team have for participating in the Arizona Farm to School Collaborative? Please share two goals with associated objectives.
- Are there specific community or cultural connections you'd like to highlight or strengthen through this program? How do you see Farm to School changing your campus climate and nurturing community connection?
- What barriers or challenges does your school/district face in implementing Farm to School practices, and how do you hope this program will address them?
- Why is your team an excellent fit for the 2025-2026 Arizona Farm to School Collaborative?
- What questions do you have for us about the program or team selection process? (optional)
For School teams -- In order to ensure a well-supported and successful Farm to School journey for your site, we are requesting a letter of support from your Superintendent (or equivalent administrator). For guidelines regarding this letter, please review the
Information Guide. You may submit the letter along with your application below or email it separately to
f2scollaborative@mollenfoundation.org with the subject "Letter of Support" and your school district name.
Thank you for reviewing the application instructions. An additional resource that can guide your application completion process is the Farm to School Team FAQ/Information Guide.
