FoodCorps, a national farm-to-school organization that connects children in underserved communities to real food in order to help them grow up healthy, is accepting applications before March 30 for an expansion to Georgia, where they’ll partner with Georgia Organics.

The selected emerging leaders will dedicate one year of full-time public service in school food systems, expanding hands-on nutrition education programs, building and tending school gardens and bringing high-quality, local foods into school cafeterias.

Nearly 1 million Georgia children are overweight or obese. The need for food education and access to clean, healthy food in Georgia is great, but so is the opportunity for change. While 43 percent of Georgia teenagers eat less than one vegetable a day, the state is the fourth-largest producer of fruits and vegetables in the nation.

FoodCorps has provided valuable skills and training to the service members that go through the program, setting them up for careers in food, health and education. Benefits of AmeriCorps service include a $17,500 stipend, health care, training and a $5,645 education award.

To apply, visit FoodCorps.org/become-a-service-member.