Farm to School Grants
Since 2007 the Rozo McLaughlin Farm to School Grant Program has been awarding Vermont schools with funds to integrate local foods in school cafeterias, classrooms and communities. The goals of the grant program are to encourage schools and school districts to serve food to Vermont students that is as fresh and nutritious as possible; maximize the use of fresh, locally grown, produced and processed foods; educate students about healthy eating habits through nutrition education, including using hands-on techniques to make the connections between farming and the foods that students consume; increase the size and stability of farmers’ direct sales market; and increase school meal participation by increasing the selection of foods available to students.
This grant program is made possible by collaboration between the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Department of Education, Department of Health and VT FEED (Food Education Every Day).
Just announced! There will be a spring round of grants in 2012. Please check back in March for updated information on deadlines.
Cabot Healthy Living Grants
Kidsgardening.org
$500 grant for school gardens. Sponsored by Jamba Juice and National Gardening Association.
Application deadline: February 15, 2012
Farm to School Arts Cards
We have created Vermont Farm to School Arts to celebrate local farms and schools and to provide you with a fundraising opportunity. We invite you to sell note cards depicting 20 original landscapes by 10 Vermont artists to raise money for your school or organization, for instance your own farm to school program. Your organization will make up to $4.00 per pack (5 cards/envelopes at $10 per pack). For example: a sale of 250 packs of cards would result in up to $1,000 raised for your organization. There is no minimum order size.
Each pack of blank note cards contains 5 different, original, full-color landscapes. The cards and envelopes are made from 100% recycled, 100% post-consumer, chlorine-free paper manufactured in a carbon-neutral manner featuring environmentally-sound ink.
VERMONT FARM TO SCHOOL ARTS is a joint project of Vermont FEED and The Burlington School Food Project, collaborative working to improve the health of school-aged children by providing whole and local foods, and engaging the community in sustainable food systems change.
Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) Capital Improvement Grant
The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM) received $100,000 from the Vermont Legislature to provide matching grants for capital investments that will support Vermont agricultural producers in obtaining GAP certification. There is a maximum cap among all GAP Capital Improvements Program grants of $10,000 per farm, and farms must contribute a minimum of 50% of the total project costs.
This funding will be disbursed in two grant rounds, with the first grant round open from July 1 to September 30, 2011. A total of $50,000 is available in the first grant round, and will be made available to producers for eligible expenses in the order that applications are received. Applications received after first round grant funds are fully expended will be automatically considered in the second round of funding. The second round will open on November 1, 2011.
Annie's Grants for Gardens
A limited number of small grants to community gardens, school gardens and other educational programs that connect children directly to real food. Schools and non-profit organizations are eligible to apply for grants up to $250. These funds can be used to buy gardening tools, seeds or other needed supplies.
Application deadline: Open
The Donald Samull Classroom Herb Garden Grant
The Herb Society of America, as a recipient of a bequest from the estate of Donald Samull, has established herb garden grants for teachers in grades 3 through 6. Mr. Samull was an elementary school teacher who used his love of herbs in the classroom with his 3rd-6th grade students. These grants will ensure that his tradition of using herbs with students will continue for years to come.
Public and/or private 3rd through 6th grade teachers, with classes of a minimum of 15 students may apply for an indoor or an outdoor herb garden grant.
Application deadline: October 1, 2012
Fuel Up to Play 60 Grants
Fuel Up to Play 60 is a nationwide competitive funding program to help K-12 schools jumpstart and sustain school wellness activities and initiatives. The program provides seed money - up to $4,000 per school - to help Fuel up to Play 60 educators make their schools a healthier place! Applications available March 5, 2012.
Application deadline: June 1, 2012.
