People’s Garden School Pilot Program
The USDA Food and Nutrition
Service (FNS) has just announced the availability of $1 million for a
people’s Garden School Pilot Program.
Purpose:
To teach students involved
in the gardens about agriculture production practices, diet and
nutrition; contribute produce to supplement food provided at eligible
schools, student households, local food banks or senior center nutrition
programs; and conduct an evaluation of funded projects to learn more
about the impacts of school gardens.
Funding:
This grant offering will be
awarded as a cooperative agreement between the award recipient and the
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) which means FNS will have involvement
in carrying out the activities of the People’s Garden School Pilot
Program. The grants will be awarded to develop and run community gardens
at eligible high poverty schools - defined as public schools with 50
percent or more students eligible for free and reduced price meals,
Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769(g)(3).
Who May Apply:
Public or private non-profit
organizations are eligible to apply, including but not limited to the
following: • Community-based organizations • Faith-based organizations •
Colleges and universities • Government organizations • Gardening,
horticultural and agricultural organizations • End hunger organizations
Scope:
The authorizing legislation for this pilot program specifies that
school gardens are to be developed in at least three States and no more
than five States that fall into three groupings of population size. One
State must rank in the top 15 most populous States. One State must rank
in the 16th to 30th largest States, and at least one State must be among
the lowest populated States. (For reference see: http://www.census.gov/
Applications Due: October 8th by 5:00 pm EST
For more information: http://www.fns.usda.gov/fns/
To view the announcement: http://www.grants.gov/search/
