Harvesting Opportunities:  A Practical Guide to Farm to School Grants

KY Center for Agriculture and Rural Development

Discover how to apply for Farm to School grants with tips, key steps, and success stories to grow programs in your community.

This webinar will guide participants through the FY2026 Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program application process, highlighting essential steps, key considerations, and strategies to strengthen proposals. Attendees will gain practical insights from past grant recipients who will share their experiences, challenges, and successes in building effective Farm to School programs. Industry experts will also provide best practices for developing strong applications and implementing projects that create lasting impact in schools and communities. Whether you are a producer, school, or community partner, this session will equip you with the tools and inspiration needed to pursue Farm to School funding with confidence.The Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program, authorized in the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (NSLA), is designed to increase the availability of local foods in Child Nutrition Program (CNP) operations and connect students to the sources of their food through education, taste tests, school gardens, field trips, and local food sourcing for CNP meals. Grants can be used to launch new farm to CNP programs or expand existing efforts. The objective of the fiscal year 2026 Farm to School Grant is to improve access to local foods in eligible CNP sites through comprehensive farm to CNP programming that includes local sourcing and agricultural education efforts. These grants are expected to improve child health and nutrition and reinvigorate American agriculture by better connecting American farmers and producers with USDA’s Child Nutrition Programs.