Vermont · State Grant

Vermont Farm to School and Early Childhood Grant

Funding

$10,000-$30,000

Grade Focus

K-12 and early childhood

Application Due

October 21, 2026

Level of Gov't

State — Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (VAAFM)

Eligibility

Vermont K-12 schools, early childhood programs, and nonprofits running farm-to-school programs. Programs must connect students to local food, agriculture, and environmental learning.

Program Goals

The Vermont Farm to School Grant funds programs that connect K-12 students to local food systems, agriculture, and environmental education. STEM components including sensor-based environmental monitoring and data collection are a strong complement to farm-to-school programs.

Read the Grant

Application and Distribution

Applications submitted through the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets. October 21, 2026 deadline. Apply at agriculture.vermont.gov/farm-school.

Cycle Notes

Annual competitive cycle. October 21, 2026 is the upcoming deadline. The cycle opens in summer — monitor agriculture.vermont.gov for the RFP release.

Grant Award Amount

$10,000 to $30,000 per award. The $30,000 tier requires a more robust program plan with clear outcomes and community partnerships.

Allowable Purchases

Forward Education Products for This Grant

These kits align to the learning outcomes this program funds.

Climate Action Kit — a beginner-friendly STEM kit combining micro:bit sensors to code solutions for climate change and sustainability
Smart Solar Energy Kit — build and program a working solar panel to measure real-time power generation and explore renewable energy
Forward Education Learning Platform — curriculum-aligned STEM lessons, coding tutorials, career profiles, and PD courses

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of programs are funded?

Farm-to-school programs connecting students to local food, agriculture, and environmental learning. STEM and data components strengthen applications.

When is the deadline?

October 21, 2026.

What is the award range?

$10,000 to $30,000 per award.

Do we need a farm partner?

A local farm or agriculture connection is central to the program model. School gardens and community farm partnerships both qualify.

How can Forward Education help?

Our Climate Action Kit with micro:bit sensors adds a hands-on technology and data collection dimension to farm-to-school science programs, strengthening grant applications.

Grant Support