Michigan State University Extension works to help improve people’s lives by bringing MSU’s vast knowledge and resources directly to individuals, families, communities, and farms. MSU Extension has a presence in every county throughout the state, and they offer educational programming to communities and help create lasting healthy changes in a variety of settings — from schools and childcare homes to food pantries and more. MSU Extension oversees FoodCorps programs in Northeast Michigan with Alcona Community Schools.

Alcona Community Schools is a small, rural school district located in Northeastern Lower Michigan. Serving approximately 700 K-12 students, the school district covers 400 square miles of beautiful Alcona County forest land and touches the sandy shores of Lake Huron and numerous sparkling inland lakes. For an outdoor enthusiast, there are many places for hiking, camping, fishing, water activities on the rivers and lakes, and in the winter, enjoying the snow.

Alcona Community Schools is a great setting for hands-on, experiential education. With a hoophouse that is already used as an educational space, the district is working towards building a second one to grow fruits and vegetables for the cafeteria. The district has a 43-acre nature preserve, a community garden, a sugar shack where students produce and sell maple syrup, and they raise chickens. As FoodCorps programming is just getting started with Alcona Community Schools, the Service Member will have an opportunity to help lay the foundation for long-term plans supporting experiential learning related to food education in the elementary school, and supporting food production on school grounds to incorporate into the cafeteria meals. A Service Member who is highly motivated and passionate about working with kids in the classroom, outdoors, in the gardens, and in the cafeteria, as well as excited to work with school staff, teachers, parents, and community members will thrive here!

FoodCorps service members at the Crim are part of a Michigan cohort that includes 14 service members in four communities across the state. The state staff, Erin and Seema, love creating opportunities to connect in person or virtually, and will always make time and space for sharing a good meal with our Service Members. FoodCorps Service Members have the opportunity to take advantage of a state rich in cultural and geographic diversity. We boast urban, suburban, and rural sites with their own unique set of engaging characteristics, as well as thought-provoking challenges. We welcome all to apply for an experience to learn, give back, and grow!