This guide explains how U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) agencies can join the 20 other USDA agencies that have implemented 18 adopt-a-school partnerships throughout the country. The following are among the topics discussed in the guide's five parts: (1) partnership basics (how adopt-a-school programs benefit both members of the adopt-a-school partnership, who can adopt a school, why communities should start adopt-a-school programs); (2) partnership implementation (suggested partnership formats, steps in establishing a partnership, responsibilities of the agency coordinator and school contact, developing an individualized adopt-a-school program, sample surveys for organization leaders and volunteers); (3) partnership assessment (maintaining a strong partnership, the natural progression of a partnership, warning signs of a faltering partnership, strengthening a faltering partnership, teachers as program makers or breakers, assessing partnership accomplishments, and agency volunteers as the key to a dynamic partnership); (4) authorities (policy and guidance letter, USDA news article on employee participation); and (5) USDA partnerships (summary of current USDA adopted schools; materials from and information about the USDA partnerships at Lincoln Multicultural Middle School and Van Ness Elementary School in Washington, DC). Concluding the guide is an annotated list of 25 Web sites offering information about USDA agencies and programs. (MN)