Agriculture education and FFA chapters at eleven Iowa school districts and nonpublic schools were recently awarded funding for projects focused on developing, implementing or enhancing local gardens and agricultural programs. The districts and schools will also work with their local nutrition department to incorporate the food that is grown into school meals. The winning recipients are:

  • Coon Rapids Bayard Community School District
  • Decorah Community School District
  • Dike New Hartford Community School District
  • Gladbrook-Reinbeck Community School District
  • New Hampton Community School District
  • Newton Community School District, Berg Middle School
  • Riceville Community School District
  • Holy Family Dubuque, Wahlert Catholic High School
  • Waterloo Community School District, East High School
  • Waukee Community School District
  • West Lyon Community High School

Iowa schools that operate a USDA school nutrition program were eligible to apply for up to $2000 for this subgrant, funded through the Iowa Department of Education’s 2022 USDA Farm to School grant. Subgrant projects will strengthen partnerships between school agriculture and school nutrition. Awardees are able to purchase small gardening equipment and supplies with the funding and the food that is grown will be used in school meals. Students will be involved in the planning, growing, and of course, the eating. We can’t hardly wait to see our awardees dig in!

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