From: Richard P. Haynes [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
FOOD AND SOCIETY POLICY FELLOWSHIPS APPLICATION DEADLINE - February 25, 2004 The Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute is pleased to announce a request for applications for the 2004-2005 class of Food and Society Policy Fellows. This is a national program of part-time, one-year professional fellowships offered to improve communications about food and agriculture issues in the U.S. Three classes of fellowship awards have previously been made, with the fourth class of fellows to begin their duties on September 1, 2004. Primary fellowship support comes from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Program Overview The Food and Society Policy Fellows program addresses the need for consumers and society leaders to better understand the issues and challenges associated with sustaining family farms and food production in the U.S. today. Fellows use media, scholarship, public education and outreach to promote change in the policies and structures that shape the U.S. food system. With our fourth fellowship class, we are seeking fellows who can develop communication pieces that address the connections between youth, diet, health, and how our food is produced. Within this fellowship theme, examples of relevant topics include farm-to-school programs, community food systems, and the role of food choices in youth obesity. For more information on the program visit the website: www.foodandsocietyfellows.org. Criteria Applicants should be U.S. residents actively involved in a professional career that involves two or more of the following: agriculture, health promotion, youth development, food production, and/or policy analysis. Past fellowship recipients have included university professors, nutrition educators, and staff at non-profit organizations working on food and agriculture issues. Farmers or ranchers with a strong interest and experience in communicating about how to foster healthy youth through the production of healthy food are also encouraged to apply. Please note the following: · Individuals involved in education, research, or program development in food and agriculture will receive preference over full-time communications professionals. · Early career professionals (defined as 35 years of age or younger) will receive preference for half of this class's fellowship slots (about eight fellowships are expected to be awarded). Administration The Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute (Columbia, MO) administers the fellowship in partnership with the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (Minneapolis, MN). Fellows carry out their activities in their existing workplace or residence and are expected to gain release time from their current job duties. During their fellowship period, fellows will be expected to generate a variety of communication pieces on the theme identified above. Fellows can also emphasize the policy component of the fellowship through participation in policy forums or other relevant conferences (note: the fellowship does not provide travel support beyond fellowship training and organizational meetings). Fellows in the fourth class will work both independently and cooperatively with other fellows to create a communications impact. Some communications activities will be for a general consumer audience, but others will be more targeted, including pieces aimed at youth educators, school administrators, and relevant policy makers. During their fellowship program, fellows can expect to have networking opportunities with other fellows in the program from across the country. Each fellow will have the opportunity to impact a broad range of other institutions and organizations through their communications activities. A stipend of $30,000 for one year is provided to cover income support for approximately 50% time commitment to the fellowship program. For salaried individuals, the stipend amount will be paid to the individual's employer to compensate for partial salary and benefits. Exact time commitment is negotiable, but previous fellows have typically committed 50% of their time. Fellowship recipients will be required to do a modest amount of travel in conjunction with the program, including participation in two multi-day training and orientation sessions. The first of these training sessions will be September 20-23, 2004. Travel expenses to these fellowship events will be covered in full. No other travel will be paid by the program. No separate funding is available for incidental office expenses. Application Guidelines Applications for the 2004-2005 Food and Society Policy Fellows program will be accepted starting January 5, 2004 and due by February 25, 2004. Please note that fellowships are intended to cover writing and other media-oriented activities; individuals requesting funding to develop or write a book will not be funded. The following materials should be included in your application packet: · cover letter (2 to 3 pages) outlining why you want to be a FAS Policy Fellow and what you plan to do accomplish as a 2004-05 class member (if you are 35 or under at the time of application, identify yourself as an early career applicant in your cover letter) · resume highlighting background and relevant experience · two writing samples (popular press examples preferred - no books or videos, please) · list of three references with contact information (these references will only be contacted for individuals being considered as finalists) Applications should be mailed to arrive by 5 pm, February 25, 2004 and should be sent to: Thomas Jefferson Agricultural Institute Attn: Selection Committee Chair 601 W. Nifong Blvd., Suite 1D Columbia, MO 65203 (office phone # to provide for overnight delivery services is 573-449-3518) Individuals considered as semi-finalists will be contacted about a phone interview by the end of April. Selection of fellows is scheduled to be completed by the end of May, 2004. Inquiries We welcome inquiries about the Food and Society Policy Fellows Program. For more information, please contact the program coordinator: Kristen Corselius Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ______________________________________________________ The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and to find out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org To post an e-mail to the list: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription: https://secure.mallorn.com/mailman/listinfo/community_garden
