The Farm & Food Systems Fellowship in Hickory, NC, sponsored by the Allegheny Mountain Institute, is dedicated to cultivating the next generation of advocates for a fair and sustainable food system. By offering a tuition-free, comprehensive training program, we empower Fellows with hands-on experience and education in organic food systems. Our initiatives include growing and distributing diverse crops, facilitating health-oriented educational sessions, maintaining community gardens, and integrating food and ecological literacy into local school curricula. Through collaboration with regional non-profits and participation in Farmers Markets, our selected Fellows engage in practical applications of their training over six months, followed by a Community Action Year designed to foster impactful change. We invite individuals to apply each year by March, with the fellowship experience unfolding from May to October, creating a community committed to enhancing food access and education.