Salem Elementary receives grants

Salem Elementary School has been selected to receive both the Arkansas School Garden Grant and the Arkansas Taste Test Grant.

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture reported a total of 88 grants have been approved for funding of $37,500 through the Arkansas School Garden Grant Program and the Arkansas Taste Test Grant Program.

“School gardens and taste tests have proven to be valuable tools in teaching children about agriculture, nutrition and a variety of skills," said Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward. "The lessons learned through these programs can have a lasting impact on children, their families, and entire communities.”

The Arkansas School Garden Grant Program was established to help schools start or expand gardens on school grounds. The Department will award $500 grants to the schools to purchase soil, specialty crop seeds and plants, and gardening equipment.

The Arkansas Taste Test Grant Program was established to help schools lead cafeteria taste tests of locally grown, specialty crops. The Department will award $250 grants to the schools to purchase kitchen equipment and utensils, serving materials, and specialty crop seeds and plants.

The farm to school grant programs were available to public and private K-12 schools, early childhood education facilities, and alternative learning environments. In addition to the funding, the Department's Farm to School and Early Childhood Education Program staff will provide technical assistance to grantees upon request. The grant programs were developed using funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant Program to increase production and consumption of specialty crops in schools. Specialty crops, as defined by the USDA, are fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is dedicated to the development and implementation of policies and programs for Arkansas agriculture and forestry to keep its farmers and ranchers competitive in national and international markets while ensuring safe food, fiber, and forest products for the citizens of the state and nation. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Visit agriculture.arkansas.gov.