Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach helps carry ISU’s land-grant mission beyond campus to be the university that best serves its state. Our core purpose is to engage citizens through research-based educational programs. We extend the resources of Iowa State University across our state. We accomplish our goals by developing diverse and meaningful partnerships. Through our purpose and partnerships, we increase the ability of Iowans to make informed decisions by applying relevant, needs-driven resources to create significant impact in our state. ISU Extension and Outreach is focused on feeding people, keeping them healthy, helping their communities to prosper and thrive, and turning the world over to the next generation better than we found it.

Service members will be assigned in schools within the Cedar Rapids Community School District. The District’s vision is for nutrition education to be integrated into every school in the district, which may include garden and broader food education lessons.

Cedar Rapids Community School District (CRCSD) has an enriching history of educating students since 1855. Today, we are the second largest public education provider in Iowa, with more than 16,000 students and nearly 3,200 teachers and staff at work in 32 schools throughout Cedar Rapids. We build on our past and present to supply an education that prepares students for the future.

Our vision is Every Learner. Future Ready. This guiding principle helps us enrich our community and embrace all backgrounds and cultures. We share a learning environment that welcomes everyone, as we prepare all students with pathways and passions for their future.

The breadth of our educational offerings displayed the attributes of our vision. The range includes traditional learning environments, a fully-virtual academy, many varied AP courses, career and technical training education, English language learners programming and support, five magnet schools, Iowa BIG project-based learning, preschool, and before/after school daycare.

Teacher excellence is fundamental to our vision. CRCSD boasts the most nationally-certified teachers in the state. All of our employees work in an environment that is named to Forbes 2021 Best-in-State Employer list.

Service members will provide nutrition education primarily during the school day to K-3rd grade students. They will provide after school programs in the same building for K-5th graders. Through service member programming, the district is able to observe and share best practices for implementing nutrition education. Service members will be members of school wellness committee and the Food Alliance Committee, to leverage their capacity. Service members have a direct in and avenue for building relationships in schools, to encourage participation in these programs.

Cedar Rapids, located in Linn County, is the second largest city in Iowa after Des Moines. The county is surrounded by rural counties and has a strong agricultural influence. It is one of the largest centers for corn processing in the world, and the grain processing provides 4,000 jobs in the community. Major companies in the area include Rockwell Collins, Aegon/TransAmerica, two large hospitals, and Quaker Oats. Cedar Rapids is also home to Coe College, Mount Mercy University, and Kirkwood Community College. Cedar Rapid is located on the Cedar River and parts of the city were severely damaged by the flood of 2008. Approximately 560 city blocks were severely damaged by the flood including thousands of homes and city facilities. The city’s demographic makeup is about 84% white, 8% African American, and 4% two or more races, 3% Asian. The student body at the schools served by Cedar Rapids Community School District is 61.5% White, 19.5% Black, 2.6% Asian or Asian/Pacific Islander, 7.2% Hispanic/Latino, 0.3% American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.1% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander.

FoodCorps service members with ISU Extension and Outreach are part of an Iowa cohort that includes 4 service members in 4 communities across the state. Momentum for farm to school is growing, with over two-dozen active chapters, and state initiatives like Iowa Department of Public Health’s Pick a Better Snack program. FoodCorps service members will have opportunities to engage with students, farmers, teachers, and community leaders to help build capacity to sustain programs for years to come. In Iowa we serve with heart to make lasting change within our food system.