Community Garden Magazine Issue Five January 2016

 KidsGardening.org The National Gardening Association has sponsored this grant for four years, aiming to support community organizations with child-centered garden programs. Priority is given to programs that have these components: educational focus or curricular/program, integration to reinforce academics, life skills, instruction, (e.g. nutrition, growing one’s own food, learning to be responsible) developing environmental stewardship, and encouraging students to make positive choices for themselves and the planet. As the title implies, grants are available to states in the Midwest: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.  The Captain Planet Foundation The Captain Planet Foundation mainly focuses on grants to United States schools and organizations. Grants are made for programs that promote and support educational programs and help youth learn about and appreciate the world through a hands-on approach to improve the environment around them. Grants are typically for $500 but can exceed that amount.  United States Department of Agriculture (USDA): Farm to School Program The USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) offers the farm to school program, which assists eligible schools in improving access to local foods. In 2012, planning grants were expected to range from $20,000 - $45,000, while implementation grants were expected to be between $65,000 - $100,000. The farm to school program is a general, widely used term, but the goal of the program is to bring more fresh fruits and vegetables to school cafeterias. Funding from the program itself can be used for many different types of projects or activities, among which are school gardens.  Whole Kids Foundation: School Garden Grants The Whole Kids Foundation’s School Garden Grants program provides money to teach kids how to learn about sustainability, conservation, food systems, community awareness, and how food gets from seed to plate. Unlike some grant requirements set forth by corporations, this grant does not require applicants to be located in a region with a Whole Foods Market. 30

Community Garden Magazine Issue Five January 2016 | Page 30