Vermont Agriculture in the Classroom

Vermont Agency of Agriculture

2007-2008 Farm-to-School Grant Program

Farm-to-School Grant Application for 2007-2008 (PDF)

As a result of the new 2007 Act 91 (Rozo McLaughlin Farm to School Bill), $85,000 is available for the purpose of helping Vermont schools develop relationships with local farmers and producers.

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 is a result of a collaboration between the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Department of Education, Department of Health and VT Food Education Every Day (FEED).

• Planning Grants to assist Vermont schools in planning a Farm-to-School program with funding needed to build their wellness or farm-to-school team.
• Implementation Grants to assist Vermont schools in implementing existing farm-to-school initiatives. Implementation grants must have an existing Wellness or Farm to School Committee with prior experience in community development or farm to school training.

Schools can apply for only one of these two grant types. The application with original signature and four copies must be received or postmarked by 4:30 p.m., November 1, 2007. See pages 10-18 of the application for details. Faxed or e-mailed copies will NOT be accepted. Applications must be mailed to Steve Justis at the Agency of Agriculture, 116 State Street, Drawer 20, Montpelier, VT 05620. For questions about this application, contact Steve Justis at (802) 828-3827 or steve.justis@state.vt.us.