The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets has opened a competitive grant round to help schools and early childhood programs launch or expand farm-to-school activities, offering a total of $200,000 in awards.
What this means for local programs
Eligible K–12 school districts, independent schools that participate in federal child nutrition programs, and licensed or registered early childhood providers can apply for project awards between $10,000 and $30,000. Funds may be used for a range of needs, including garden supplies, kitchen equipment to support scratch cooking and personnel costs tied to farm-to-school programming, such as hiring a part-time coordinator.
Officials said the grants are intended to strengthen connections between local agriculture and school food programs while supporting food education for children across the state.
Key dates and support
Applicants must submit their proposals by 1:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. To help potential applicants complete the online submission, the agency is offering an optional webinar and several drop-in office hours.
- Applicant webinar: Monday, Sept. 21, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (overview and WebGrants tutorial)
- Office hours (drop-in Q&A):
- Wednesday, Sept. 23, 12:00–1:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2:30–3:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, Oct. 7, 3:30–4:30 p.m.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total funding available | $200,000 |
| Award range | $10,000–$30,000 for 18-month projects |
| Application deadline | Oct. 21, 2026 at 1:59 p.m. |
Who should consider applying
District nutrition directors, school administrators, early childhood program leaders and community partners involved in food education and procurement are among those likely to benefit. The agency’s guidance notes that awards can support both capital needs, like kitchen equipment, and personnel dedicated to farm-to-school work.
Interested applicants should register in advance for the webinar to receive a funding overview and step-by-step instructions for using the state’s WebGrants portal. The office hours are intended for brief, practical assistance with questions about eligibility and application materials.
For more information, applicants can consult the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets and the Vermont Farm to School and Early Childhood Network resources linked in the agency announcement.
Reporting for News Block. — Vermont Correspondent
