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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt">A funding opportunity for U.S. libraries interested in starting or expanding food education or food access initiatives<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The <a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/f2s/farm-school-grant-program">
US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program</a> is designed to increase the availability of local foods in schools and help connect students to the sources of their food through education, taste tests, school gardens, field
trips, and local food sourcing for school meals. Grants can launch new farm to school programs or expand existing efforts. Applications are open through January 12, 2024.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">On an annual basis, USDA awards competitive Farm to School grants that support state, regional, and local organizations as they initiate, expand, and institutionalize efforts to increase access to food and
to food education among America’s youth.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Grantees include schools and districts, Indian tribal organizations, agricultural producers or groups of agricultural producers,
<b>non-profit entities, and state and local agencies.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">In other words, public libraries (and state libraries!) are eligible to participate in this program, which has been
<a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/f2s/grant-awards">offered annually since 2013</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Are you considering applying for a grant and need support?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">In partnership with the USDA, the Kids Garden Community is hosting a special,
<span style="background:yellow;mso-highlight:yellow"><a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMocuyhpzoiH9JZE_Ko4p9Gl7ojtNHW-V7f#/registration">free informational session on November 8</a>, 2023 from 3:00-4:30 PM ET</span> to provide application
support for those applying for youth garden-related projects. <a href="https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMocuyhpzoiH9JZE_Ko4p9Gl7ojtNHW-V7f#/registration">
Sign up now</a>!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">This session will consist of:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Grant information presented by the USDA<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Tips and lessons learned from grantees<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Q&A and peer support<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">It appears that <b>public libraries</b> are eligible to apply.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:5.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Century Gothic",sans-serif;color:#2E74B5">Cathy Lancaster</span></b><span style="color:#2E74B5;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:115%"><span style="color:black">Youth Services Coordinator</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt;line-height:115%"><span style="color:black">Library of Michigan<br>
702 W. Kalamazoo St.<br>
Lansing, MI 48915</span><br>
<i><span style="color:black;background:white">My Pronouns: She/Her/Hers - See </span>
</i><a href="http://www.mypronouns.org/"><i><span style="color:#0563C1;background:white">www.mypronouns.org</span></i></a><i><span style="color:black;background:white"> to learn more<b>.</b></span></i><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:LancasterC5@michigan.gov"><span style="color:#0563C1">LancasterC5@michigan.gov</span></a><span style="color:#1F497D">
</span><b><span style="color:black">|</span></b><span style="color:black"> 517-335-8129
<b>|</b> </span><a href="http://www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan"><span style="color:#0563C1">www.mi.gov/libraryofmichigan</span></a><span style="color:#1F497D">
<br>
</span><span style="color:black">Follow us: </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/libraryofmichigan/"><span style="color:#0563C1">Facebook</span></a><span style="color:black">
<b>|</b> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/libraryofmich"><span style="color:#0563C1">Twitter</span></a><b><span style="color:#1F497D">
</span><span style="color:black">|</span></b><span style="color:#1F497D"> </span>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/libraryofmichigan/"><span style="color:#0563C1">Instagram</span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Join the <a href="http://mail2.mcls.org/mailman/listinfo/miyouth">
<b><span style="color:#006EB6;background:white;text-decoration:none">MiYouth</span></b></a>
<span style="color:black;background:white">Listserv, created for Michigan public library staff to share and discuss children and teen programming and services.</span><br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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