The fiscal year (FY) 2025 Farm to School Grant Program Request for Applications (RFA) is now open!

In FY 2025, USDA will award up to $12 million in competitive grants to eligible entities through the grant program. Each grant will help eligible entities implement farm to school programming that increases access to local food in eligible schools, connects children with agriculture for better health, and inspires youth to consider careers in agriculture.

The FY 2025 grant opportunity includes three separate RFAs:

Implementation Grants- grant supports comprehensive farm to school programming that includes both local sourcing and agricultural education efforts

• Awards: $50,000-$500,000
  • Note, there are specific requirements for funding over $100,000. See the RFA for complete requirements.

Turnkey Grants- simplified grant application for frequently proposed farm to school projects (Note, the Turnkey Grant includes three tracks: Agricultural Education, Edible Gardens, and Action Planning.)

• Awards: $5,000- $50,000

State Agency Grants– grant funds State agencies to support and grow farm to child nutrition program (CNP) efforts in their States

• Awards: $50,000-$500,000

Applicants must decide which one grant track best suits their project. The RFA Grant Track Decision Document is a great resource to help make this decision! It’s available on Grants.gov with each RFA under Related Documents. If multiple packages are submitted through Grants.gov by the same applicant to more than one RFA, all submissions by that applicant will be removed from consideration.

The Grant RFA can be found online here:

• Implementation: https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/356877
• Turnkey: https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/356876
• State Agency: https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/356878

Complete applications must be submitted to Grants.gov by 11:59pm ET on Friday, January 10, 2025. To complete the application process, applicants must obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), register in the System for Award Management, and then register at www.Grants.gov. Applicants are encouraged to begin this process early.

Prospective applicants can check out the USDA Farm to School Program Resources for Grant Applicants webpage and see a list of prior grantees’ project descriptions for proposal inspiration. Webinars will be hosted on November 5 and November 6, and regular office hours will be hosted starting November 19. Descriptions and registration information are below.

• 2:00 PM ET, Tuesday, November 5, Introduction to the Farm to School Grant Program Request for Applications: This webinar will help potential fiscal year 2025 Farm to School Grant applicants choose the solicitation that is the best fit for them, including by helping attendees understand grant eligibility, funding priorities, and grant objectives. Please register even if you cannot attend; the Farm to School Team will send all registrants a link to watch the recording. Register here: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_3-JYEJEyTkq4ySEIwb6gTQ#/registration

• 2:00 PM ET, Wednesday, Submitting a Complete Grant Package: This webinar will help potential fiscal year 2025 Farm to School Grant applicants understand the components of a complete application and provide technical assistance on how to submit a responsive application that meets all the requirements to be considered for award. Please register even if you cannot attend; the Farm to School Team will send all registrants a link to watch the recording. Register here: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_KqjKRZ03SMahpFOpZCkPgw#/registration

Office Hours: The Farm to School Team will host bimonthly office hours on the dates below to provide applicants with an opportunity to pose questions they may have about the Farm to School Grant Program. Note that these sessions are not recorded, but you can come and go at any time. You do not need to attend the full hour, and the full time will be dedicated solely to answering applicant questions.

• Tuesday 11/19 1:00-2:00 ET- https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1603956836?pwd=i3yNg6KoriPeTEtI2b2lQayhAgb5P6.1
• Monday 12/2 11:00-12:00 ET- https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIscu-qrzMiHDteHk_bRnD69UO0GZQZuH0
• Wednesday 12/18 3:00-4:00 ET- https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIsd-upqjoiEr5i861dCUJ5As5efVEBtjU
• Tuesday 1/7 2:00-3:00 ET- https://www.zoomgov.com/meeting/register/vJIscOmorzovGq155fgkac_-KznInmL2RWM