Mississippi Farm to School Youth Leadership Program

The Mississippi Farm to School Network is excited to support young leaders through the Youth Leadership Cohort, empowering K-12 students to grow, learn, and inspire their communities.

This initiative fosters leadership, advocacy, and a connection to sustainable food systems, encouraging students to promote local, nutritious foods and strengthen our agricultural economy.

The Mississippi Farm to School Network is thrilled to partner with aspiring young leaders eager to positively impact their communities by growing, learning, and inspiring together through the Mississippi Farm to School Youth Leadership Cohort. We invite K -12 students to participate in this inspirational initiative, which aims to foster leadership, advocacy, and a connection to sustainable food systems, encouraging students to promote local, nutritious foods, and strengthen our agricultural economy.

Throughout the school year, participants engage virtually in monthly Meet ‘n’ Learn sessions where students can explore nutrition, gardening, food systems, and agricultural education. Farm to School incentives help drive positive change in Mississippi’s food systems.

Sign-ups are ongoing throughout the school year. Meet & Learn Virtual Meetings will occur once a month, on the third Monday of each month from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Our kick-off meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 23rd, at 4:30 p.m. and will continue until Monday, May 19, 2025, on every scheduled date. If you have any questions or are unsure if this program is right for you or your child, we invite you to reach out.

By participating in our program, you will receive:

  •  A Swag Bag

  • A Certificate of Completion in the Mississippi Farm to School Youth Leadership Program

  • Education and Training in Gardening, Agriculture, Nutrition, and Food Systems

  • The opportunity to join a community of young leaders committed to enhancing the lives of Mississippians through gardening, agriculture, and local food systems.

    To receive a swag bag and certificate of completion, you must attend at least 3 Meet & Learn Sessions

Cultivate

Getting students involved helps them develop healthy eating habits, learn about the importance of nutrition, and gain hands-on experience in growing their own food.

Empower

Agriculture education can equip students with essential abilities like teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking, which can benefit their personal lives and workforce development.