Schools, 4-H clubs, community organizations, church groups and other youth organizations are encouraged to apply.
Grants of up to $1,000 for youth gardening projects are available through North Dakota State University.
Any project related to youth and gardening is eligible.
Funds may be used to purchase gardening supplies (hand tools, soil, seeds, plants or containers), Junior Master Gardener and/or other gardening books, and other educational supplies.
“Schools, 4-H clubs, community organizations, church groups and other youth organizations are encouraged to apply,” says Tom Kalb, NDSU Extension Service horticulturist. A review of the applications will begin Feb. 10 and continue until the available funds ($30,000) are exhausted.”
More than 3,000 youth in more than 30 counties participate in Junior Master Gardener projects every year. Examples of projects include:
The establishment of school gardens to promote the consumption of healthy foods
Planting trees to establish small arboreta at schools or parks
Beautification projects at schools, parks or churches, or along streets
Projects to promote creative writing, literature or art related to the environment
Construction projects such as building raised garden beds for the elderly
Food security gardens that grow vegetables to be donated to local food pantries
“We have curriculum from the national Junior Master Gardener Program available if participants in projects are interested,” Kalb says. “This curriculum includes hundreds of programming ideas that focus on gardening, nutrition, wildlife and literature.”