Gardening Initiative PDF Application

Growing Healthy Kansas Kids
Gardening Initiative
Sub-Grants for Schools and Childcare
Spring 2015 Application
with
IMPORTANT: Before completing this application, carefully read the “Information
and Requirements” for Growing Healthy Kids Gardening Initiative.
The Growing Healthy Kansas Kids Gardening Initiative is a Team Nutrition program of
Child Nutrition & Wellness
Kansas State Department of Education
900 SW Jackson St., Suite #251
Topeka, KS 66612
www.kansasteamnutrition.org
Direct questions to: Jill Ladd, Team Nutrition Project Director,
785-296-2790 or [email protected]
The U.S. Department of Agriculture prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for
employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and
where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an
individual's income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment
or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all
programs and/or employment activities.)
If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination
Complaint Form, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call
(866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the
form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office
of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email
at [email protected].
Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay
Service at (800) 877-8339; or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish).
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies at the Kansas State Department of
Education: Office of General Counsel, Landon State Office Building, 900 SW Jackson St, Suite #102, Topeka, KS 66612(785) 296-3201.
Gardening Initiative Application Spring 2015 - 1
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Gardening Initiative Application Spring 2015 - 2
Information and Requirements for
Gardening Initiative Sub-Grants for Schools and
Childcare Centers
What is the gardening initiative for schools and childcare centers?
USDA strongly encourages schools and childcare center gardening projects. The use of gardens in
schools and childcare centers with accompanying nutrition education provides an opportunity to promote
acceptance of both fruits and vegetables that may ultimately influence food choices throughout
adolescence and adulthood. As part of the Team Nutrition Training Grant, Kansas Team Nutrition
through the Kansas State Department of Education is excited to help support Kansas Schools and
Childcare Centers in starting container gardening projects.
General Information and Program Overview
The Growing Healthy Kansas Kids project will help support Kansas schools and childcare centers in
starting container gardens by providing resources, sub-grant funds, and guidance to a total of 50 schools
and childcare centers to initiate a container gardening project.
It is our intent to provide funding, $325 per school or childcare center selected, to help purchase
gardening supplies, containers and materials. In addition, USDA nutrition education gardening
curriculum will be provided to selected schools and childcare centers. Curriculum options include:
-
Grow It, Try It, Like It – Childcare Center Staff
The Great Garden Detective Adventure: A Standards-Based Gardening Nutrition Curriculum–
Grades 3 and 4
Dig In! Standards-based Nutrition Education from the Ground Up - 5th and 6th grades
Technical assistance from Kansas Team Nutrition and K-State Research and Extension will be made
available for grantees through a webinar training that will provide ideas and tips on how to implement a
successful gardening project. Grantee schools and childcare centers can determine how they best want
to incorporate gardening and nutrition lessons into their classrooms.
Eligibility Guidelines
Growing Healthy Kansas Kids – Gardening Initiative is a program funded by the US Department of
Agriculture. Eligible applicants include school or childcare personnel, including but not limited to,
teachers, administrators, authorized representatives, directors, school nurses, school counselors,
foodservice personnel, or community partners such as extension agents.
Applicants must:
 Be located within the state of Kansas.
 Participate in one of the federal Child Nutrition Programs (Child and Adult Care Food Program for
childcare centers or National School Lunch Program for schools).
 School Requirement Only. Be enrolled as a Team Nutrition School. (This is a requirement for
schools to receive sub-grant funds, see page 2, Eligibility requirements.) If your school is not a
Team Nutrition school use the registration form found at:
http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/enrollmentform.pdf. Send the completed form to USDA
via fax- 703-305-2549 or via mail – Team Nutrition, 3101 Park Center Drive, Room 632,
Alexandria, VA 22302. You can also contact Kansas Team Nutrition Staff for assistance in
determining if you are currently enrolled as a Team Nutrition school. Contact Jill Ladd,
[email protected], at 785-296-2790.
 Plan to conduct gardening activities in childcare, 3rd, 4th, 5th, or 6th grade classrooms, or as part of
the Summer Food Service Program.
Gardening Initiative Application Spring 2015 - 3
Requirements for Participation
Each participating school or childcare center must agree to the following terms:
 Agree to participate in a mandatory webinar hosted by KSDE in February 2015 (webinar schedule
will be announced to selected schools/childcare centers at a later date).
 Conduct gardening and nutrition education activities/lessons within the school, childcare center or
Summer Food Service Program.
 Conduct gardening and nutrition education activities during the Spring/Summer of 2015.
 Expend sub-grant funds, $325 per grantee site, only as outlined. See spending guidance below.
 At the conclusion of the project, complete an online program evaluation that includes reporting of
grant fund expenditures.
 Produce from gardening activities will be used for tastings as part of nutrition education or as part
of the meal program.
Selection of Participating Sites
Participating sites will be selected using established criteria by a selection committee. First priority for
selection will be given to sites that have demonstrated efforts to implement a healthy school or childcare
environment in the past.
Sub-Grant Spending Guidance
Sub-grant funds can be spent to buy a reasonable amount of gardening supplies for classroom or school
gardening projects such as:
 Seeds
 Potting Soil
 Starter Pots
 Shovels
 Hoes
Sub-grant funds may NOT be used to purchase bulk soils such as topsoil, irrigation supplies, fencing or
any type of large equipment such as a tiller or greenhouse.
Timeline
January 5, 2015
Gardening Initiative applications for the Spring/Summer 2015 made available.
January 23, 2015
Applications must be received by KSDE, Team Nutrition Staff.
January 30, 2015
Schools/Childcare Centers selected for participation will be notified.
February 2015
May 31, 2015
August 31, 2015
Webinar will be conducted to provide technical assistance and resources to
grantees. (Webinar date(s) will be set and announced when participating sites
are notified of selection)
Schools utilizing resources during regular school year – Online program
evaluation to be completed
Childcare centers or schools utilizing resources as part of the Summer Food
Service Program– Online Program evaluation to be completed
Gardening Initiative Application Spring 2015 - 4
Application for Growing Healthy Kansas Kids Gardening Initiative Sub-Grants
Completed applications must be received by January 23, 2015
Application Guidelines and Directions
1. Review the Eligibility Guidelines on page 3.
2. Applicants must agree to implement the requirements listed in the Requirements for Participation on
page 4 of this application.
3. Spend sub-grant funds as outlined on page 4.
4. Late applications will not be accepted unless an inadequate number of applications are received by
the deadline date. Incomplete applications and applications with missing signatures will be contacted
but the application will not be deemed complete until all information is provided to KSDE, TN.
5. Submission of an application does not ensure funding.
Part A. Applicant Information
Number of School District, Private School or Childcare Center (USD, X0, PO):
Name of Attendance Center/School/Childcare Center:
Mailing Address:
City:
Zip Code:
Applicant’s Name:
Applicant’s Title:
Area Code/Phone Number:
E-mail address:
Part B. Additional Information
Yes
No Is this is a Team Nutrition school? (School Requirement Only, see page 3, Eligibility
requirements)
Yes
No Did you recently fill out the Team Nutrition online enrollment form?
In which setting will the gardening activities and nutrition education be conducted (check all that apply):
Childcare Center
5th Grade
6th Grade
3rd Grade
4th Grade
Summer Food Service Program
Approximate number of children who would be reached:
Gardening Initiative Application Spring 2015 - 5
Explain below how you plan to incorporate gardening and nutrition education into the classroom or
Summer Food Service Program. How will produce from gardening activities be utilized?
How will receiving the Growing Healthy Kansas Kids – Gardening Grant enhance current nutrition or
physical activity programs being implemented?
Has this school/district/childcare center participated in any other programs to improve children’s
health/wellness during the last 3 years?
Yes
No
If yes, please name and briefly describe
the program(s)?
Part C. Agreement and Signatures
I have read and understand the document titled “Information and Requirements for Gardening Initiative
Sub-Grants for Schools and Childcare Centers”. I agree to follow all requirements of the program.
_____________________________________________________
Signature of Applicant
____________________
Date
_____________________________________________________
Signature of Authorized Representative*
____________________
Date
*This is the official representative for the food service program.
Submit pages 5-6 with signatures to Kansas Team Nutrition:
E-mail, Mail or Fax completed applications to:
Kansas Team Nutrition
Child Nutrition & Wellness
Kansas State Department of Education
900 SW Jackson St, Suite 251
Topeka, KS 66612
E-mail: [email protected]
Fax: (785) 296-0232
Applications must be received by January 23, 2015
Gardening Initiative Application Spring 2015 - 6

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