Little Rock, AR - The Arkansas Department of Agriculture (Department) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2024 Farm to School Kitchen Equipment Grant Program. Through the program, the Department will provide $41,250 in grants to 11 public and private K-12 schools, early childhood education facilities, and alternative learning environments. These funds will directly impact 3,993 students in 11 counties across the state.

The winners are:

 - Batesville High School, Independence County
 - Good Morning Sunshine Preschool, Yell County
 - Gurdon Public Schools, Clark County
 - Jean Tyson Child Development Study Center, Washington County
 - Marshall High School, Searcy County
 - Mountain View School District, Stone County
 - Mrs. Krystal’s Preschool, Sharp County
 - Rivercrest School District, Mississippi County
 - Salem High School, Fulton County
 - Shirley School District, Van Buren County
 - University District Development Corporation/Oak Forest Community Garden, Pulaski County
 
“Farm to school is most impactful when schools are able to connect all three pillars – school gardens, education, and local procurement,” said Arkansas Farm to School Coordinator Jessica Chapman. “We are pleased to administer the new Farm to School Kitchen Equipment Grant Program to provide an opportunity for schools to start or expand on local procurement efforts in their school cafeterias.”

The Farm to School Kitchen Equipment Grant was initiated in 2023 to increase schools’ capacity to process and serve more specialty crops to students through school cafeterias and other school feeding programs. Selected schools will receive grants of up to $5,000 to purchase equipment, improve school meal quality, and increase student consumption of specialty crops.

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is dedicated to the development and implementation of policies and programs for Arkansas agriculture, forestry, and natural resources to keep its farmers and ranchers competitive in national and international markets while conserving natural resources and ensuring safe food, fiber, and forest products for the citizens of the state and nation. Visit agriculture.arkansas.gov/. The Arkansas Department of Agriculture offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.