Taking Root Together Grant Application

Application Instructions

The Taking Root Together Child Care Garden Grant program is designed to provide garden supplies and materials to child care sites sponsored by ODBCACFP to support the development and maintenance of gardens and Farm to Early Care and Education on their premises. The grant program has three tiers, each providing different levels of funding and support to enable indoor and outdoor gardening for farm-to-school activities.

Child care sites seeking to apply for the grant must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Operate a child care site that is sponsored by ODBCACFP.
• Be able to demonstrate a commitment to integrating gardening into their educational program.
• Have adequate space available for gardening activities and/or an outdoor raised bed garden.
• Attend Gardening 101 Kick-Off Webinar on March 31, 2026 

Grant Tiers:
The grant program is divided into (3) tiers, each providing different levels of support for gardening activities at child care sites:

• Tier 1: Indoor Gardening Supplies for Farm-to-School Activities
  Provides indoor gardening supplies, including pots, soil, seeds, and educational materials.
  
  
• Tier 2: Container Gardening Supplies and Plants for Indoor/Outdoor Growing
  Provides container gardening supplies and plants, including pots, soil, seeds, and seedlings.
  
  
• Tier 3: Outdoor Raised Bed Garden Built at Your Child Care Site
  Provides material and supplies for construction of an outdoor raised bed garden at the child care site.

Application Process:
Child care educators seeking to apply for the Taking Root Together Child Care Garden Grant Program must complete the following steps:

1. Attend Gardening 101 Kick-Off Webinar (March 31, 2026)
2. Complete the grant application form.
3. Submit a photo of classrooms where farm-to-school activities take place.
4. Submit a photo of outdoor space available for a raised garden bed.

Evaluation Criteria:
Applications for the grant will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• The applicant's commitment to integrating gardening into their educational program.
• The suitability of the child care site for gardening activities.
• The potential impact of the grant on the child care site and its students.
• The applicants CACFP history.

Timeline:
The application period will close on April 11th. Grant recipients will be notified no later than April 18th, and materials/supplies will be provided in May.