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USDA announces it’s now accepting farm-to-school grant applications
Also in this week’s K-12 legislative update: Boise State’s subgrant program aimed at strengthening procurement for school meals is also open for applications.
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The USDA’s Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program will once again award funding to support a variety of farm-to-school programs next year. Photo: Shutterstock
As we get closer to the end of the year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and other organizations are gearing up for 2025 grant season. School nutrition operators looking to grow their farm-to-school programs and more will be able apply for funding to support their initiatives.
Here’s a look at the latest grant opportunities opening up for K-12 operators.
Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program now accepting 2025 applications
The USDA’s Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program has announced it is now accepting applications for its 2025 round of grant funding.
Established in 2013, the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program offers school nutrition operators and other organizations thousands in funding to go toward their farm to school efforts.
This year it will award funding of up to $500,000 for a variety of farm-to-school projects. Applicants can apply for three different categories:
Implementation grants which go towards projects focused on both local sourcing and agricultural education efforts.
State agency grants which provide funding for state agencies to promote agricultural education and increase the amount of local food served at child nutrition programs throughout the state.
Turnkey grants which offer a simplified process for applicants who are looking to fund frequently proposed farm to school projects such as school gardens.
The USDA has placed an increase emphasis on farm to school funding as of late. Earlier this year, the USDA awarded a record-breaking $14.3 million to support 54 projects in 43 states.
Project SCALES round two funding now open
Applications are also now open for round two of Boise State’s Project Supporting Community Agriculture and Local Education System (Project SCALES) sub-grants.
The grants will award up to $1,000,000 to help school food programs make connections with local suppliers and strengthen local food systems.
Boise State awarded its first round of grants earlier this summer.
The grant program is part of the USDA’s $100 million Healthy School Meals Incentive, which it announced in 2022. The incentive aims to help schools strengthen their procurement efforts and increase the number of scratch-made meals on school menus.
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