July 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. 

Don't Miss Out on this Webinar! 

School Garden Support in the Summer

July 15, 2022, 9:30 - 10:30 a.m

Join this webinar conversation to hear from the Arkansas Farm to School team, school gardening champions, and other gardening experts! Guest speakers from the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service and John Tyson Elementary will share best practices, tips, and challenges for gathering community support for school gardens as well as effective ways to care for your garden in the summer months. 

Farm to School Opportunities

The School Garden Support Organization Leadership Institute

December 4 - 9, 2022 in Santa Cruz, CA

The School Garden Support Organization Leadership Institute provides an opportunity for school garden professionals from across the country to collaborate, learn from one another, and develop resources to share with a national audience. Each team invited to attend will send two key leaders to the Institute who are directly involved with supporting school garden programming. The 2022 Institute will prioritize school-district run garden programs or those collaborating with a school district(s) to support multiple school gardens. Program fees are based on a sliding scale, and travel stipends are also available. 

Webinar Series: Racial Equity in Farm to School 

July 19, August 30, September 20, October 25, and November 8, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Central Time

The Farm to School Coalition of North Carolina and the Center for Environmental Farming's Farm to School Initiative are hosting a free virtual five-session training series on Racial Equity in Farm to School. These free, 2-hour workshops will be led by a team from we are. Register for one or all sessions: 

• July 19: Implicit Bias
• August 30: Language Analysis & Speak Up
• September 20: History and Policy
• October 25: Curriculum and School Meals
• November 8: Community Praxis Sharing in Farm to School

Resource: Digital Cookbook

The Edible Schoolyard Project has created a digital cookbook of kid and family friendly recipes, which can be made together in a kitchen or in your own home while connecting with others online! Check out these beautifully illustrated recipes and videos. 

Little Seeds Pollinator Pals Grant

Amount: $500

Deadline: July 15, 2022

The Little Seeds Pollinator Pals Grant, brought to you by Little Seeds and KidsGardening, will award a total of 20 programs $500 in funding to develop new or expand existing pollinator gardens. Any nonprofit organization, school district, university, government entity, or tax-exempt organization, like religious organizations and Tribal governments, in the United States and US Territories serving at least 15 youths is eligible to apply. Programs must be planning a new or expanding an existing youth garden designed to teach about the importance of pollinators.

Giving Tree Grants

Amount: Range from $300 - $12,000 depending on county

Deadline: August 15, 2022

Arkansas Community Foundation has 29 affiliates throughout the state that offer Giving Tree grants through a competitive process aimed at supporting a wide variety of causes. Giving Tree grants are place-based, and committees of local leaders in each community determine the best use of their funds. Some affiliate offices have initiatives specifically focused on food security and early childhood literacy. Any nonprofit organization, school, hospital, or government agency serving the counties where grants are available is eligible to apply. Check out current funding opportunities and focuses for your area here. 

The Power of Food in Schools

Amount: Up to $50,000

Deadline: August 15, 2022

Newman’s Own Foundation, with support from FoodCorps, is launching The Power of Food in Schools grant program. Grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 will be offered to state and district-reaching organizations working to increase access to food education and nourishing meals in schools. Any nonprofit organization operating within one of these states: AR, CA, CT, DC, GA, IA, ME, MA, MI, MS, NJ, NM, NY, or OR is eligible to apply. Priority will be given to black, indigenous, multiracial, and people of color (BIMPOC)-led organizations and those that honor the grassroots wisdom and expertise of local communities.