School Garden Grants Offered by Many

Several companies and organizations offer school garden grants each year. That’s because school gardens are credited for raising test courses, reducing absences and improving healthy habits.

Non-profit groups and other organizations across the country have been partnering with local communities to install school gardens that empower communities and teach business skills and more. The trend is being embraced in all types of communities, from urban neighborhoods to rural communities with limited access to fresh food.

According to Jane Hirschi, author of Ripe for Change, successful school gardens are measured by:

• whether participating students’ academic engagement increased
• whether the students began making healthier food choices
• whether students demonstrated understanding and appreciation of nature
• whether teachers reported an increased capacity to sustain school gardens as a practice

With some planning, a sunny spot, wood for raised beds, soil and seeds, schools can start garden programs. But they often need seed money to get started, and school garden grants can help. Here are two school garden grant programs currently accepting applications:

• The Safer School Garden Grant is now accepting applicants through December 1st for a $500 grant. Schools can apply by email, explaining why they want a garden and what they would do with the grant if they win.
• The Whole Kids Foundation in partnership with FoodCorps U.S. School Garden Grant Program is also accepting applications now through October 31st for a school garden grant of $2,000. The Foundation has created an application that will function as a blueprint and plan for the garden.

Both grants will be awarded in February 2017.

The GardenABCs website has a list of ongoing school garden grants opportunities, such as the Annie’s Grants for Gardens program. Several schools received Annie’s garden grants this past spring and descriptions of the winners’ gardens are posted on the website.