Blue Zones offers grants for school gardens

Blue Zones Project Yuba Sutter announced on Tuesday that three separate $2,000 grants are available for qualified area schools to implement or support garden projects.

Intended for the 2024/25 school year, these grants are part of the School Garden Grant Program and are available to some “public or charter K-12 schools located within the region.” Blue Zones officials said the program is “designed to support the development and sustainability of edible educational gardens in local schools.”

Blue Zones Project, which describes itself as a community-led well-being improvement initiative, said this program aligns with its focus on fostering healthy environments and giving people a sense of purpose.

Details of the School Garden Grant Program include the following:

– Grant amount: Up to $2,000 per school (three grants total).

– Eligibility: Public or charter K-12 schools in the Yuba-Sutter area (ZIP codes: 95991, 95993, 95901, 95961) that are either Blue Zones Project approved or actively working toward approval.

– Grant usage: Funds must be used to support the edible educational garden located on the applying school’s property.

– Application deadline: 5 p.m. on Oct. 30.

– Grant notification: Schools will be notified of their grant status no later than Dec. 10.

“School gardens are a powerful tool for hands-on learning, teaching students about the importance of growing and consuming fresh, nutritious food,” Marni Sanders, executive director of Blue Zones Project Yuba Sutter, said in a statement. “By supporting these gardens, we are not only promoting healthier eating habits but also cultivating a greater sense of community and connection to the land.”

Blue Zones officials said that any school applying for a grant must outline their garden goals for the next two years and how that funding will help them achieve those goals. An application needs to include a signed letter of support from the school’s administration, photos or diagrams of the garden, and a plan for sustaining the garden during the summer months.

“We hope these grants will inspire schools to build or enhance edible educational gardens, which can help foster a deeper understanding of food, sustainability, and healthy living,” Jennifer Jelavich, Blue Zones Project organization lead, said in a statement.

For more information or to submit an application, visit yubasutter.bluezonesproject.com.