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New York Agriculture in the Classroom

Grants

Grow with Us Grant

Grow with Us

Background

We know...

Students who grow food, try new foods.
Students who grow food, eat healthier foods.
Students who grow food, increase their physical activity.
Students who grow food, understand and can communicate the source and value of agriculture.

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Listing the reasons why we should grow food with our students can go on and on – but teachers don't need another list, teachers need tools and resources. New York Agriculture in the Classroom is offering an unprecedented grant for schools to earn plant grow systems for their schools and classrooms to engage students in learning through food and eating healthy food year-round.

New York Agriculture in the Classroom wants to make the integration of food, agriculture, and nutrition easy, relevant, and successful for teachers across our state.

About the Grow with Us Grant

The Grow with Us Grant is returning for the 2022-2023 school year and will provide schools an opportunity to apply for two options: a bundle of three Tower Gardens as a science bundle including a dolly, nutrient solution or a 2445 Organics SuperGrow System 3 Tier Rack. Schools should apply for the system that best meets their educational goals and available classroom or outdoor space. New York Agriculture in the Classroom aspires to provide teachers the tools to facilitate experiential learning opportunities using agriculture as the context for learning.

Eligibility and Application Guidelines

The Grow with Us Grant program will resume in the winter of the 2023-2024 school year. Please follow our newsletter for updates and announcements.

Please take careful note of the eligibility and guidelines for application to this grant program. For questions or clarification, please email Sarah Hale.

  • Applications will be accepted from New York State certified PreK-12 teachers.
  • Teachers must be interested in and committed to enhancing their students' understanding of agriculture, food systems, and natural resources.
  • Public, private, charter, and homeschool groups are eligible to apply.
  • Applications from multiple school buildings in the same district are eligible.
  • Schools must be willing to submit two progress reports each year, for two years.
  • The grow systems must be housed for two years on the school property, not at an off-site location.
  • Certified agriculture teachers and agriculture programs are not eligible to apply for this grant. (Please see the Agriculture Education Incentive Grant.)
  • Teachers who have received a Grow with Us Grant previously are not eligible to apply.

Required Documents for Application

When applying for this grant, please note:

  • To be considered for judging, your application must be complete (including all required uploads).
  • Grow systems cannot be located at an offsite location such as a Cornell Cooperative Extension office or farm partner.
  • Awardees will be awarded basic supplies to start their grow system, but there must be a plan in place to sustain or support the project in future years.
    • Awardees will be awarded basic supplies to start their grow system, but there must be a plan in place to sustain or support the project in future years.
  • Teachers must be the primary users of the grow system for classroom instruction.
  • Cooperative efforts are encouraged.

Tower Garden Description

  • Tower Gardens are a vertical, aeroponic growing system which allows you to grow up to 20 vegetables, herbs, fruits and flowers in less than three square feet—indoors or out.
  • Tower Gardens grow plants with only water and nutrients rather than soil.
  • If selected, your school will receive a bundle of three Tower Gardens delivered to your school.
    • Tower Gardens will be delivered with all of the materials necessary to easily assemble and start growing.
      • Dimensions of each tower: 62" h X 30" w X 30" d
      • Retail value of $1,629.00.

2445 Organics SuperGrow System 3 Tier Rack

  • The 2445 Organics SuperGrow System is a terraponic (soil) based growing system which allows you to grow almost all plants you would traditionally grow outdoors.
  • The 2445 Organics SuperGrow System can produce up to 15 pounds of produce a month, depending on the unit you select and the crop you grow.
  • 2445 Organics SuperGrow Systems will be delivered with all of the materials necessary to easily assemble and start growing.
    • Dimensions of the 3 Tier Rack: 73" h X 49" w X 20"d
    • Retail value of $2,775.00