December 9, 2024
Growing support for school gardens: updates, opportunities and ways to partner
Coalition updates from December 2024, opportunities for members, and ways to partner.
The newsletter
December Updates
Legislation Proposal Update
We are making steady progress on our legislative proposal (brief overview) to restart and update an unused, unfunded program, California's Instructional School Garden Program (ISGP). This program aims to provide equitable access to environmental education, empowering students with lifelong skills and fostering environmental stewardship.
We are making progress on the phased approach that our proposal outlines:
- Phase 1 (2025-26): Update the ISGP: Establish an advisory council/working group to develop grant criteria and requirements, and ensure equity-focused implementation in phase 2.
- We are working with the California Department of Food and Agriculture and other agencies to establish a shared understanding for this planning year.
- Phase 2 (2026-27): Launch the program: Secure multi-year funding from federal, state, special funds, etc. to enable underserved school districts to apply for garden-based education grants.
- We are connecting with relevant state agencies and researching other possible funding streams for this program.
Legislation Status
We are currently reaching out and meeting with legislators to build interest and secure a bill author. We are actively responding to questions, requests, and suggestions from legislative offices, key legislative consultants, and state agencies. We are drafting bill language and budgets for phases 1 and 2. We aim to confirm a bill author or co-authors by January 10.
We have met with the following offices and all have confirmed interest in our proposal:
- Assemblymember David A. Alvarez
- Assemblymember Marc Berman
- Senator Lena Gonzalez
- Senator John Laird
- Senator Monique Limon
- Senator Mike McGuire
- Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi
We have scheduled meetings with:
- Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry
- Senator Josh Becker
- Senator Dave Cortese
- Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel
- Assemblymember Tina McKinnor
- Assemblymember Gail Pellerin
We are continuing to follow-up with: Senator Ben Allen, Assemblymember Steve Bennett, Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, Senator Sabrina Cervantes, Assemblymember Buffy Wicks, and key consultants.
We are awaiting new committee assignments and will target key legislators in the Education, Natural Resources, Health, Agriculture, Appropriations and other committees at that time. These engagements are instrumental in building bipartisan support for our vision of sustainable school garden programs. Please let us know if you have any suggestions about key legislators who would be interested in authoring our proposed legislation!
Join Us: Endorse the Proposal
We invite your organization to formally endorse our legislative proposal. Endorsements help demonstrate the widespread support for school garden-based education to legislators and will help us secure a bill sponsor. Check out the high-level overview of the proposal and complete a short endorsement form to join us in making a difference.
Partnership Opportunities
In response to growing requests for partnership, please check out a menu of partnership opportunities. We invite you to:
- Join our Advocacy Day in Sacramento in March 2025 to connect with legislators and advocate for school gardens and related initiatives.
- Make a Financial Contribution or Recommend a Funder: Help fund project management, communications, community engagement, our Advocacy Day, and more through September 2025. See the funding menu.
- Join the Broader Coalition: Submit your logo to be featured on our coalition page and participate in regular meetings. We'll announce the January broader coalition meeting date soon!
- Complete a Promising Practice Profile: Highlight a successful district-wide instructional school garden program in your region.
- Inform Your Network: Use our communications toolkit to share our proposal and invite others to support the movement.
View the Full Partnership Menu
Thank you for your continued support in growing this movement for healthier, greener schools across California!
Grant Opportunity via USDA
The USDA's 2025 Farm to School Grant Program Request for Applications (RFA) is now open! In fiscal year (FY) 2025, USDA will award up to $12 million in competitive grants to eligible entities through the grant program. Each grant will help eligible entities implement farm to school programming that increases access to local food in eligible schools, connects children with agriculture for better health, and inspires youth to consider careers in agriculture. The FY 2025 grant opportunity includes three separate RFAs: Implementation Grants, Turnkey Grants, and State Agency Grants. Deadline to apply: Friday, January 10, 2025 at 11:59pm ET.
Fundraising
To ensure the success of our campaign and the broader coalition, we welcome contributions and collaboration. Below are key areas where you or a funder you’re aware of can make an impact:
- Project Management Support (through September): Help fund project management, communications, and community engagement through September 2025. Estimated cost remaining: $55,000-$80,000.
- Advocacy Day in Sacramento (March/April): Help us to organize an event to engage directly with legislators, showcasing the importance of school gardens. Estimated cost: $10,000.
- Legislative Expertise: Support the engagement of experts to guide our legislative efforts. Estimated cost: $15,000 for 2-3 months.
We welcome contributions of any size and are happy to discuss customized partnership opportunities. Contact: Vicki Moore, Founder, Living Classroom and Leadership Team Member, School Garden Coalition.
Stay tuned for regular updates! Please share with friends and colleagues.
Thank you for your continued support and dedication to advancing garden-based education in California schools. Together, we are sowing the seeds for a greener, healthier future for our students and communities.