25 Sept
2024
California Department of Food and Agriculture – CalAgPlate
Grant Amount: Maximum Grant Amount $153,000
Information
The California Department of Food and Agriculture is accepting applications to the CalAgPlate grant program.
The purpose of this program is to support agricultural education, agricultural career awareness and development, agricultural career training, and agricultural leadership development to assist students at the kindergarten through twelfth grade (K-12), post-secondary, and adult education levels. Supporting these educational and training areas will provide participants further agricultural opportunities and experiences at the local and statewide levels.
Two funding opportunities are available:
Tier 1 – California Adopted Agricultural Education Programs
Up to 85 percent ($153,000) of total available grant award funding is reserved for the California FFA Association; the non-profit organization that represents state-adopted Agricultural Education Programs (Education Code Sections 52450-52454). These programs have proven to be effective on a statewide basis in meeting the priorities and intent of the CalAgPlate program.
Tier 1 grant awards range from $10,000 to $153,000 per project.
Tier 2 – Local/Community/State Agricultural Education Programs
Up to 15 percent ($27,000) of available funding will be awarded to eligible Local/Community/State Agricultural Education Programs. This Tier is open to non-profit organizations, as well as state, local, and Indian tribal government agencies within California which promote and administer agricultural education and leadership programs targeting K-12, post-secondary, and adult education. Individual schools and school districts are encouraged to partner with eligible non-profit organizations. Institutes of higher learning are ineligible to directly apply, however, they can partner with eligible organizations on a proposed CalAgPlate project.
Tier 2 grant awards range from $2,500 to $10,000 per project.
There are three Funding Categories:
Funding Category I
Agricultural Education In this funding category, CDFA will consider projects that enhance and benefit agricultural education opportunities for students and educators.
Examples:
• Agricultural curriculum development and implementation
• School/community garden enrichment programs
• Interactive agriculture learning experiences, outdoor agricultural education programs (e.g., farms/ranches)
• Agriculture demonstrations/activities (e.g., exhibits).
Funding Category II
Agricultural Career Awareness, Development and Training In this funding category, CDFA will consider projects that advance, promote and support agricultural career development and training for high school and college students.
Examples:
• Interactive training experiences and mentorship programs
• Practical career preparation and career advancement opportunities
• Outreach programs and career expos
• Informational workshops for next-generation/beginning farmers.
Funding Category III
Agricultural Leadership Development In this funding category, CDFA will consider projects that provide leadership experiences and skills for participants that encourage agricultural leadership development.
Examples:
• Agricultural leadership conferences
• Agricultural leadership training programs
• Education tours focusing on agricultural policy issues/areas.