Funding Your Project

Since 2007 the Rozo McLaughlin Farm to School Grant Program has been awarding Vermont schools with funds to integrate local foods in school cafeterias, classrooms and communities. The goals of the grant program are to encourage schools and school districts to serve food to Vermont students that is as fresh and nutritious as possible; maximize the use of fresh, locally grown, produced and processed foods; educate students about healthy eating habits through nutrition education, including using hands-on techniques to make the connections between farming and the foods that students consume; increase the size and stability of farmers’ direct sales market; and increase school meal participation by increasing the selection of foods available to students.

This grant program is made possible by collaboration between the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Department of Education, Department of Health and VT FEED (Food Education Every Day).

This grant program is given annually and helps eligible people and organizations implement farm to school programs.

A limited number of small grants to community gardens, school gardens and other educational programs that connect children directly to real food. Schools and non-profit organizations are eligible to apply for grants up to $250. These funds can be used to buy gardening tools, seeds or other needed supplies.

The Ben & Jerry's Foundation awards about $1.8 million each year to organizations both in Vermont and the rest of the U.S. through 4 grant programs. 

The Herb Society of America, as a recipient of a bequest from the estate of Donald Samull, has established herb garden grants for teachers in grades 3 through 6. Mr. Samull was an elementary school teacher who used his love of herbs in the classroom with his students. These grants will ensure that his tradition of using herbs with students will continue for years to come.

Public and/or private 3rd through 6th grade teachers, with classes of a minimum of 15 students may apply for an indoor or an outdoor herb garden grant.

Fuel Up to Play 60 is a nationwide competitive funding program to help K-12 schools jumpstart and sustain school wellness activities and initiatives. The program provides seed money - up to $4,000 per school - to help Fuel up to Play 60 educators make their schools a healthier place! 

Sow it Forward is a grants and partnership program offering $600 grants of cash, seeds, supplies, books and online garden planning software to groups wishing to start a new food garden project or sustain an existing one.

*Kitchen Garden Internation is in the process of revamping their grants program. They ask that you join their email list to receive information about the launch of the new program.

The VCF's Food and Farm Initiative was launched in 2012 and has awarded $1.6 million in grants to Vermont programs.

NEGEF offers grants to small groups in the New England states who are focused on local, community-based environmental initiatives.