U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm to School Grant Applications Due May 20, 2015


Last Updated: March 26, 2015
 

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On an annual basis, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) awards up to $5 million in competitive grants for training, supporting operations, planning, purchasing equipment, developing school gardens, developing partnerships, and implementing farm to school programs.

Four different kinds of farm to school grants are available. Planning grants are for schools or school districts just getting started on farm to school activities; they're designed to help them organize and structure their efforts for maximum impact by incorporating best practices into early planning considerations. Implementation grants are available for schools or school districts seeking to augment or expand existing farm to school efforts. Support service grants are intended for non-profit entities, Indian tribal organizations, state and local agencies, and agriculture producers or groups of producers to evolve farm to school initiatives. Additionally, all eligible entities can still apply for funds to support training and technical assistance, such as local procurement, food safety, culinary education, and integration of agriculture based curriculum.

Proposals for planning, implementation, and support service grants are due at 11:59 p.m. EST, May 20, 2015. Letters of intent for training grants are due at 11:59 p.m. EST, April 30, 2015.

For more information, please visit: FY 16 Farm to School Grant Application Guidance

To read the USDA's Request for Applications (RFA), go to: FY 16 Farm to School Grant RFA

Click here to view a chart that outlines other USDA programs that support farm to school initiatives: USDA Farm to School Programs