February 2023

The Farm to School and Early Childhood Education Program is committed to providing equitable and just programming, resources, funding, and technical assistance to schools, farmers, and partners in the local food system. 

Farm to School Opportunities

Webinar: Farm to Early Care and Education Continues to Foster Bright Futures for Children & Communities

February 9, 2023, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Central Time

The National Farm to School Network (NFSN) and Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems (MSU CRFS) are excited to offer a webinar on farm to early care and education (ECE). In 2021, NFSN and MSU CRFS surveyed ECE providers across the country to better understand current initiatives, motivations, and challenges in applying farm to ECE activities in early care and education settings. Attend this webinar to learn more about the survey and how you can apply the findings and recommendations in your own work.

Webinar Series: Culturally Inclusive

Teaching in the Garden

Join KidsGardening.org in 2023 for their new webinar series Culturally Inclusive Teaching in the Garden, offered in partnership with the Clif Family Foundation. The series will explore ways to celebrate and highlight culture through garden-based learning. Starting in January, Dilafruz Williams and Sheila Williams Ridge will kick off the series by sharing the principles of culturally-responsive garden education that honors diversity and inclusion.

• February: Honoring Native American, Hawaiian, and Alaska Native Culture in Youth Gardens
• March: Celebrating African American and Black Culture in Youth Gardens
• April: Fostering Hispanic, Latinx, and Spanish Origin Culture in Youth Gardens
• May: Nurturing Middle Eastern and North African Culture in Youth Gardens
• June: Featuring Asian and Asian American Culture in Youth Gardens

Junior Master Gardener National Leader Training

February 21 - 22, 2023

The Junior Master Gardener program is an international youth gardening program of the University Cooperative Extension network. Junior Master Gardening engages children in novel, hands-on group and individual learning experiences that provide a love of gardening, develop an appreciation for the environment, and cultivate the mind. This year, the national leader training will be a dynamic and interactive training conference and will be exclusively and completely accessible as an engaging, online training event. 

GroMoreGood Grassroots Grant

Amount: $500 - $1,500

Deadline: February 10, 2023

The 2023 GroMoreGood Grassroots Grant, brought to you by The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and KidsGardening.org, is designed to bring the life-enhancing benefits of gardens to communities across the United States. Any nonprofit organization, school district, university, government entity, or tax-exempt organization, such as religious organizations and Tribal governments, in the United States and U.S. Territories serving at least 15 youth is eligible to apply. Applicants must plan to use the funds to install new or improve existing youth gardens or greenspaces. A total of 160 programs will receive $500 in funding to start or improve their garden or greenspace. In addition, fifteen programs will receive an additional $1,000, for a total of $1,500, if awarded a Plus, Pride, or Equity Specialty Award. This year, programs can apply in either English or Spanish.

Blue & You Foundation Mini-Grant

Amount: $500 - $2,000

Deadline: February 15, 2023

The Blue & You Foundation offers mini-grants that focus on food security, emergency response equipment, and health initiatives that will positively impact a school, college, or university. Applicants are only able to apply for one category. Applications for mini-grants will be accepted through February 15, and award decisions will be announced by March 15.

Educator Resource Grant

Amount: Educator Resource Packs Provided

Deadline: February 28, 2023

The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture (AFBFA) provides educator resource grant packages that include one copy of the Book of the Year: I LOVE STRAWBERRIES, one copy of the accompanying educator guide, and one set of 30 Specialty Crop agriculture magazines for educational use. A total of 715 educators will receive resources through this grant. By providing this grant, AFBFA, Nationwide Insurance, and Nestle Purina hope to help educators teach young learners with more accurate information about agriculture.

Whole Kids Foundation Garden Grant Program

Amount: $3,000

Deadline: March 1, 2023

Through the Garden Grant program, schools and nonprofit organizations turn outdoor spaces into powerful hands-on learning gardens that connect kids with food, spark their curiosity, and support classroom curriculum. The program provides funding to support a new or existing edible educational garden at K-12 schools and nonprofit organizations. 

School Nutrition Foundation Equipment Grants

Amount: $20,000 - $100,000 in equipment

Deadline: March 31, 2023

The School Nutrition Foundation (SNF) is teaming up with the industry partners to provide new kitchen equipment to deserving districts! Apply now for the 2023 SNF Equipment Grant Program, which includes applications for not one but five grants. Eligible applicants have the opportunity to win equipment grants, each worth between $20,000 to $100,000 of equipment. Applications and photos must be submitted by a school nutrition director. Recipients will be notified in late-April.

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.