Grants

School Garden/Horticultural Grants Program

The Jackson County Master Gardener™ Association (JCMGA) awards school grants throughout Jackson County to deserving schools where an individual or group within a school wants to offer gardening education and horticultural learning opportunities for students. School activities can be part of a school vegetable garden, a classroom horticultural project, teachers helping students grow salad or pizza toppings, pollinator awareness, or any variation involving sustainable horticultural practices.

Key Aspects of the School Garden Grants Program

Applications request a brief description, accompanied by an estimated cost breakdown of the proposed project. Deadlines for returned/completed applications are: – September 15th for Fall & Winter projects – February 15th for Spring & Summer projects Funding is limited and the evaluation process takes time, so please apply early. JCMGA funding is earmarked for activities directly involving students and their hands-on interaction with growing plants (small garden equipment, seeds, plants, amendments, etc.) and educational activities that connect students with sustainable horticulture. JCMGA funding is not intended for major construction projects (e.g., the building of greenhouses), or for purchasing large equipment (e.g., rototillers).

Evaluation criteria:

• Preference will be given to ‘sustainable garden’ activities/education.
• Project meets the student participation “hands-on” intent of JCMGA funding
• Number of students benefitting from the project
• Likelihood of success; ability to complete project within funding requested
• Qualifications and commitment of school garden project key individual
• For larger projects, the availability and/or use of other resources (e.g., parent-teacher organizations, businesses, older students, additional grant sources, etc.)

A Master Gardener will be assigned as a school contact for questions arising during the application review process and for project follow-up. Project completion pictures and feedback are requested to be submitted by the school or taken by the Master Gardener contact. School Garden Grant applications are available electronically to download here: