The Grow Ohio Grant, administered by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, supports farm to school initiatives that integrate local food procurement and agricultural education into federally funded child nutrition programs. Funded through the USDA’s 2022 State Agency Non-Competitive Farm to School Formula Grant, Grow Ohio empowers sponsors of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) to launch or expand hands-on educational and nutritional projects that increase children’s awareness of and access to Ohio-grown food.

The grant supports activities such as outdoor and indoor gardening, hydroponic systems, food literacy programming, and partnerships with local food producers. A primary focus is to build the capacity of schools and other sponsors to integrate local food into meal programs while educating students about agriculture and nutrition.

Grants range from $5,000 to $40,000 and do not require a cash match. To apply, sponsors must submit an online application that includes a Grant Budget Table itemizing all anticipated expenses. Funded projects must operate within Ohio and be implemented between August 2025 and June 30, 2026.

Priority is given to applications that:

Include an Ohio Harvest of the Month item in a taste test, snack, or meal,

Integrate literacy activities aligned with the Read Ohio campaign, or

Serve student populations with 50% or more qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch.

Grant applications opened on April 1, 2025, and must be submitted by May 28, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.. Webinars offering program overviews and live Q&A will be held via Microsoft Teams on April 10, April 29, and May 14, 2025. Final awards will be announced in August 2025.

For questions, applicants should contact Rebecca Naab, Education Program Specialist for Farm to School, at Rebecca.Naab@education.ohio.gov or (614) 981-2371. Questions must be submitted by May 26, 2025 with the subject line: “IRN, Grow Ohio Grant”. Reasonable accommodation requests under the ADA can be submitted to ADAaccommodation@education.ohio.gov.