Farm to School and Early Childhood Grant

The Farm to School and Early Childhood Grant Program, administered by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VAAFM), is a competitive funding initiative designed to bolster the integration of local agriculture into educational environments. Enacted under the Rozo McLaughlin Farm-to-School Program Act of 2006, this grant supports Vermont-based early childhood education centers and K-12 schools in building sustainable, community-embedded farm to school or farm to early childhood programs. With an emphasis on classroom, cafeteria, and community engagement—often referred to as the "3 C's"—the program aims to improve child nutrition and health, strengthen connections to local food systems, and enrich educational experiences through agricultural education. For Fiscal Year 2026, a total of $300,000 in state-appropriated funds is available. Applicants may request between $10,000 and $30,000, with no matching requirement. Funds will be distributed in three phases: 40% at the start of the project, 40% mid-way, and the remaining 20% upon project completion. Projects may begin as early as March 2026 and must conclude no later than September 30, 2027. Grant funds may be used for a range of activities including personnel, supplies, travel, contractual services, equipment, and indirect costs up to 15% of the total grant request. Pre-award costs are eligible if pre-approved by the grant manager. Eligible applicants include Vermont licensed early childhood education centers, registered family child care home providers, independent schools participating in federal child nutrition programs, individual K-12 public schools and pre-K programs, and supervisory unions or educational districts applying on behalf of one or more eligible institutions. Fiscal agents must be designated for each application. Collaborative teams of four to seven individuals, including educators, administrators, child nutrition professionals, and community partners, are required to lead the project. Flexibility is granted to early childhood programs with smaller staff sizes, but all applicants must demonstrate widespread institutional support. Projects must address at least three of the program's five funding priorities: enriching educational experiences through food and agriculture education, increasing local food procurement, improving child nutrition and wellness, enhancing participation in federal child nutrition programs, and fostering community-school connections. Each project must also articulate clear goals aligned with the 3 C's. A Vermont-based farm to school service provider must be included in the project team or work plan. Letters of commitment or support from partners are mandatory and will strengthen application competitiveness. The grant application opens on September 17, 2025, and closes on October 29, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST. An optional applicant webinar will be held on October 2, 2025, to provide guidance and answer questions. Applicants must submit their proposals through WebGrants, Vermont's online grant management system. A confirmation page and email will be sent upon successful submission. Applications will be evaluated by a multi-agency review committee using a standardized scoring rubric. Evaluation criteria include the strength of the work plan, alignment with program goals, team structure, budget clarity, and commitment to sustaining the project post-grant. Award decisions will be announced in January 2026. Interim and final performance reports, including financial documentation and impact summaries, are required to receive full disbursement of funds. Grantees must also submit a certificate of insurance, W-9, and a Good Standing Certification to finalize their award. Gina Clithero is the primary program contact and can be reached at [gina.clithero@vermont.gov](mailto:gina.clithero@vermont.gov) or 802-585-6225. Technical assistance for WebGrants is available through Lily Bradburn at [Lily.Bradburn@vermont.gov](mailto:Lily.Bradburn@vermont.gov). For full application instructions and resources, prospective applicants should visit the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets website.

Include a Vermont-based farm to school service provider; match at least 3 of 5 funding priorities.