USDA Announces Record Farm To School Grants

The USDA has announced this year's recipients of the Farm to School grants. Deputy Undersecretary, Brandon Lipps said this is largest amount awarded since the program started in 2013.

"This year we're giving out 159 project grants for a total of $12.1 million those are going out to 46 states, travel nations, D.C. and Guam."

Lipps added the grants range from $20,000 to $100,000 each, serving 7,610 separate schools, which means roughly 2.5 million students will be impacted. The aim of the program is to create opportunities to connect kids to farming by bringing it in to their classrooms.

"Really what farm to school is about is giving children an opportunity to understand agriculture to understand where their food comes from and we all know that if kids participate in growing their food and understanding that they're more willing to try new things than they are if we just get a green vegetable in front of them in the cafeteria."

Locally the USDA awarded the Washington state Department of Agriculture $98,000, and $100,000 for the Okanogan Conservation District. Click Here for a break down of the funds awarded nationally.

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