Farm to School Grant Program
The Pennsylvania Farm to School Grant Program will provide elementary schools with funding to improve access to healthy, local foods and increase agriculture education opportunities for pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.
The program aims to enrich the connection communities have with fresh, healthy food and local producers by changing food purchasing and education practices at schools and early childhood education sites.
Uses
Project scopes could include the following:
- Procuring and marketing local agricultural products into the cafeterias of the schools
- Agriculture and nutrition curricula executed at the schools
- Agriculture and nutrition incorporated into curricula already present at the schools
- Training educators to implement or incorporate agriculture and nutrition curricula into their instruction
- Experiential education opportunities regarding agriculture. such as farm field trips, service-learning opportunities on farms (for example, planting, weeding or harvesting), and school gardens
Where applicable, projects should include:
- A list of Pennsylvania farmers who have agreed to supply the school with products from their farms
- Nutrition and agriculture education, including integration into regular classroom subjects
- Training of teachers and other educational staff on nutrition and agriculture education
- Inclusion of parents, caregivers, and community groups in educational activities
- Field trips to Pennsylvania farms or other direct agricultural experiences that teach children about sources of food and Pennsylvania agriculture
Eligibility & Funding
Any school district, charter school, or private school with pre-kindergarten classes, kindergarten, or elementary through fifth grade is eligible to apply for up to $15,000. Preschool programs operated by schools and child care centers are encouraged to apply, but family and group child care homes are not eligible at this time.
Limitations
$500,000 is available for the Pennsylvania Farm-to-School Grant Program; grants will be awarded on a funds-available basis.
- Projects must be completed no later than June 30, 2021
- Grants will be funded as reimbursement grants
- A single grant shall be limited to 75% of the cost of the project
- Each school may receive no more than $15,000 annually
- Recipients may use the value of in-kind support to match the amount granted
The detailed requirements for the Farm to School Grant Program can be viewed online.
Application
Apply Online
Application period: March 1, 2021 – March 30, 2021
Application Instructions (PDF)
Contact
Patrick Andrews
717-772-1429
patriandrew@pa.gov