NDA now accepting applications for school garden grant

Nevada Title 1 schools have until September 20, 2018 to submit a proposal for a school garden grant of up to $5,000 from the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA). School gardens offer an immersive learning experience into nutrition, agriculture, food systems and STEM concepts of science, technology, engineering and math.

Promoting healthy living and learning is an ongoing priority for Nevada schools. Establishing school gardens is a great way to promote healthy eating patterns and encourage fruit and vegetable consumption in schools.

“The hands-on learning opportunity that school gardens provide is incredibly valuable,” Amber Smyer, agriculture literacy coordinator for the NDA, said. “Students engaged in the process of growing their foods are learning STEM concepts while developing healthy eating habits.”

Senate Bill 167 was passed in 2017 to encourage Title I schools to establish and maintain school gardens. For fiscal year 2019, the total amount available for school garden grant funding is $205,000, and any Title 1 school in Nevada can apply. The bill allows the NDA to allocate funding to each qualifying school at a maximum of $5,000 for the 2018-2019 school year.

To learn more about the program and how to apply, visit agri.nv.gov/Administration/Grant_Opportunities.

About the Nevada Department of Agriculture

The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) promotes a business climate that is fair, economically viable and encourages a sustainable environment that serves to protect food, fiber and human health and safety through effective service and education. The NDA includes divisions of Administration, Animal Industry, Consumer Equitability, Food and Nutrition and Plant Industry.