programs
Education Grants Program
2023 Grants
In 2023 $80K is earmarked for grants in multiple categories! This support of Maine agriculture education in grades Pre-Kindergarten through 12 is a direct result of the Maine Agricultural Specialty License Plate, a USDA Professional Development in Agricultural Literacy grant for secondary culinary arts instruction, and support for School Garden Caretakers from Maine School Garden Network and the Sewall Family Foundation. Please select the category that applies to your project.
Grant Applications
Category 1 - Agricultural Awareness Grant - Up to $1,000
Category 2 - Agricultural Awareness Grant - Up to $2,000
Applicants in this category will be eligible for no more than 3 consecutive years. Only 1 grant in this category per physical site or Project Director will be considered annually.
Category 3 - School Garden & Greenhouse Grant - Up to $2,000
Applicants in this category will be eligible for no more than 3 consecutive years. Only 1 grant in this category per physical site or Project Director will be considered annually.
Required upload: Checklist for School Gardens, Greenhouses, Orchards and Farms
Category 4 - Agricultural Leadership Grant - Up to $1,000
These grants are in support of leadership development activities for students already enrolled in agriculture courses at the Middle or High School level, in formal and informal education settings, providing these students with the skills to become future leaders in the agriculture and natural resources field. Grants are intended to support organized leadership programs rather than an individual student.
The revolving deadline for submission for current applications is 4:00 pm on: June 30, August 31, and December 15, 2023.
Category 5 - Statewide Agriculture Education Organization Grant - Up to $2,000
Funding will be available to nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations within the state of Maine or serving students or educators within the state of Maine. Funds may be used for events, materials and educational programs for students, educators and/or volunteers with a statewide impact. (This category is not designated for individual schools or school districts.) Matching contributions are mandatory and may consist of; use of facilities, volunteer time, in-kind contributions, community involvement, salaries, etc.
The revolving deadline for submission for current applications is 4:00 pm on: June 30, August 31, and December 15, 2023.
Category 6 – PDAL Local Foods for Secondary Culinary Arts Programs - $2,000
Application Coming Soon - Deadline TBA
Category 7 – Maine School Garden Network / Sewall Foundation School Garden Caretaker Support - $2,000
Application Coming Soon. Deadline: 4:00 pm, August 31, 2023
Application & Eligibility
Online grant applications (including all required uploads) must be submitted by the application deadline. Funding will be available to nonprofit organizations within the state of Maine or serving students within the state of Maine. Matching contributions are encouraged and may consist of; use of facilities, volunteer time, in-kind contributions, community involvement, salaries, etc.
Application & Review Process
The maximum duration of the grants will be one year. Proposals will be assessed for eligibility, evaluated by a review committee, and scored based on a rubric (scoring rubric details within the application). Scores will be averaged for each application. Winners will be announced as soon as possible and funding will be distributed to the organization at the address in the application (Attention to the Project Director).
Reporting
A final report for is due August 1, 2024 OR 1 year from the submission deadline (but may be submitted sooner). Funding awarded may not be consistent with the funding request. Reports may be submitted online and consist of:
- A short written report up to 2 pages including outcomes, assessment results, and numbers of students, teachers and volunteers involved directly or impacted indirectly, and the duration
- 2–6 photographs with releases for printed and online use (Download Photo Release)
- A copy of materials developed (if applicable)
- Copies of, or links to, any media coverage
- Photos or explanation of how you credited funding for the project to the Maine Agricultural Specialty License Plate
NOTE: A one-time, no-cost extension may be requested if needed by email before the due date. Grantees will not be eligible for additional funding until the final reports are completed.