One Million Dollar Grant Opportunity

Peoples Garden School Pilot Program

USDA Food and Nutritional Service (FNS) is now accepting proposals for a one million dollar grant for a People's Garden School Pilot Program. The grant will be awarded to a recognized organization who best develops a pilot program to create community gardens at 2 or more eligible high-poverty schools (at least 50% of students are eligible for free or reduce price meals).

The purposes of the grant and pilot program are:

1. To instill knowledge of agriculture practices, diet and nutrition to the students.

2. The sharing of produce from the garden with eligible schools, student households, local food banks and/or senior center nutrition programs.

3. To analyze the impact of school gardens on educational outcomes.

The guidelines and application forms can be accessed here. Applications are due October 8, 2010. If you have questions, contact Lisa Johnson, Grants Officer, by email at Lisa.Johnson@fns.usda.gov or PeoplesGardenSchoolPilot@fns.usda.gov.

Sign up for the webinar on August 31, 2010 from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time to learn more about the grant and to get your questions answered. If you miss the webinar, click here to view the recorded webcast of the webinar.

Good luck!