Are you interested in gardening, garden-based education, healthy food, and public service? Arkansas GardenCorps, a new AmeriCorps program of the Arkansas Children’s Hospital Research Institute Childhood Obesity Prevention Program, strives to promote the use of school and community gardens to increase environmental awareness and sustainable agriculture practices in Arkansas communities.

Service members spend a one-year term with a service site. After successful completion of their term of service, AmeriCorps members earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award that can be used to pay for college or graduate school at Title IV schools, or to repay qualified student loans. Full-time AmeriCorps members also receive a modest living allowance, health care benefits, and child care assistance.

Positions are available at the following locations. Please click on each position for a full position description:

• Dunbar Garden Project, Little Rock
• Fit 2 Live Initiative, City of North Little Rock
• Harrisburg Middle School, Harrisburg
• Health, Wellness and Environmental Studies Magnet School, Jonesboro
• Highland Middle School, Highland
• Mabelvale Magnet Middle School, Little Rock
• Monticello Middle School, Monticello
• Searcy County School District, Marshall

To apply for one of these positions, please fill out the application found here. On page 2 of the application, please check the AmeriCorps State and National box and then write in the position for which you are applying (i.e. Harrisburg Middle School, Mabelvale Magnet Middle School, etc.). Please also note that two references are required with your application.

Applications will be accepted through July 27. Interviews will be held July 31-August 3. Positions will begin September 1, 2012, and end August 31, 2013.

Completed applications and references can be emailed to Emily English at esenglish@uams.edu, faxed to (501) 364-1950, or mailed to 1 Children’s Way slot 512-26, Little Rock, AR, 72202. If you already have an online application, you are welcome to print and mail/fax, or you can save as a digital document and send via email.

If you have any questions, contact Emily English or the information listed at the end of each position description.