North Dakota grants to fund school, community orchards, gardens

North Dakota schools and municipalities are eligible to apply through Jan. 20 for state Department of Agriculture-sponsored grants of $500 to $7,500 to spearhead community orchard and garden projects.

Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said a total of $52,500 is available for schools and jurisdictions to beautify their grounds, noting that such projects “can help foster community spirit, provide service hours … and can be used as an outdoor living classroom for education in local schools.”

Funding can be utilized for plants and trees, related gardening supplies, soil amendments, irrigation and fencing needs. However, the grants are not intended for permanent structures, land purchase or capital expenditures. Potential applicants can learn more about guidelines at the NDDA website at www.nd.gov/ndda/program-info/local-foods-initiative/community-orchard-project.

The North Dakota Community Orchard Project is part of NDDA’s Local Foods Initiative, funded through the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

“This is the fourth year of funding for these grants with 33 past recipients,” Goehring stated. “We’ve seen these projects bring communities together and provide an example for others.”