January 2022

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. 
2021 Annual Reports
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture recently submitted the Arkansas Farm to School and Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Act 2021 Annual Reports to Governor Asa Hutchinson, the House and Senate Committees on Agriculture, Forestry, and Economic Development, and the Arkansas Legislative Council. We are pleased to share them with the public and greatly appreciate our partners who supported the creation of both reports.
Arkansas Farm to School
2021 Annual Report
Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Act 2021 Annual Report
We're Hiring - State School Garden Manager
We are hiring a State School Garden Manager! The State School Garden Manager will provide technical assistance to schools, develop farm
to school resources, host webinars and trainings, lead the school garden contest and grant program, and lead efforts on the first Arkansas Farm to School Institute.
Farm to School Opportunities
School Garden Webinar Library
The School Garden Support Organization (SGSO) Network has a newly organized webinar recording library full of school garden professional development webinars dating back to 2017. The library is now organized by category and designed to allow you to easily find the content you need. Check out the library to learn lessons and expertise from school garden leaders across the country!
Growing School Food Gardens Webinar
January 11, 2022
The KidsGardening team is hosting a lively discussion around the results of a needs assessment that surveyed school garden leaders to gather ideas and feedback for expanding teaching tools and resources specifically for leaders of edible school garden. Join this free event for an opportunity to learn more about the survey results and next steps, connect with other school food garden educators, and share your thoughts on how KidsGardening.org can better support your work.
Grants and Funding
Growing Healthy Children Recognition Awards
Amount: $200 - $500
Deadline: January 14, 2022
The Arkansas Coalition for Obesity Prevention is hosting the first ever "Growing Healthy Children" recognition awards. Childcare programs that participate in the Go NAPSACC program are eligible to apply for a "Growing Healthy Children" recognition designation. Recognition is given at three levels dependent on specific criteria: Emerging, Blossoming, and Thriving. Recognition includes an award package ranging from $200 - $500.
USDA Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program
Amount: up to $225,000
Deadline: January 31, 2022
The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture's Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program (FALSP) is a farm-to-school program that supports projects that bring together school cafeterias and classrooms and fosters community engagement between local farms and schools. The goal of these efforts is to not only increase access to school meals for underserved children, but also improve the quality of the meals. FASLP is focused on the development of leadership skills, knowledge, and qualities necessary to prepare students for food, agricultural, and related careers. See the Request for Applications (RFA) for full details.
GroMoreGood Grassroots Grant
Amount: $500 - $1,500
Deadline: February 4, 2022
The GroMoreGood Grassroots Grant, brought to you by The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation and KidsGardening, is designed to bring the life-enhancing benefits of gardens to communities across the United States. In 2022, a total of 150 programs will receive funding to start or expand their youth garden or greenspace. Any nonprofit organization, school district, university, government entity, or tax-exempt organization serving at least 15 youth is eligible to apply.
Blue & You Foundation Mini-Grant
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: February 15, 2022
Blue & You Foundation offers $1,000 mini-grants to support health improvement projects in Arkansas. Any health related activity is eligible. Applications for mini-grants will be accepted January 1 – February 15, with funding decisions made by March 15.
Arkansas Farm Bureau Outdoor Classroom Garden Mini-Grant Program
Amount: up to $500
Deadline: February 28, 2022
The Outdoor Classroom Garden Mini-Grant Program is designed to show that agriculture is an integral part of our everyday environment. Farms, wildlife, forestry, people, and cities are all interrelated with agriculture. As most of Arkansas’s wildlife resides on and feeds off private property, including farms and timberlands, the gardens can demonstrate the connection between agriculture, food, fiber, conservation, wildlife, and the urban environment. Schools, FFA Chapters, and 4-H Clubs with a minimum of 100 students for average daily attendance are eligible to apply.