CA Farm to School Incubator Grant Program
As part of California’s nation-leading investment in farm to school programs, the California Department of Food and Agriculture Office of Farm to Fork (CDFA-F2F) has received funding through the California Budget Acts of 2020, 2021 and 2022 to establish and continue the California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program.
In 2021, CDFA-F2F awarded $8.5 million in grant funding to 60 farm to school projects across the state.
In 2022, CDFA-F2F awarded $25.5 million in grant funding to 120 farm to school projects across the state.
In 2024, CDFA-F2F will award up to $52.8 million in grant funding to farm to school projects across the state!
2023-24 California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program Application Update
The California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program received a record number of grant applications, with 499 applications and $129,002,812.47 in funding requests. Because of the significant number of applications, the CDFA is extending the review period. Grant award announcements will now be made in Summer of 2024. The CDFA does not expect this to delay grant start dates. Please see below for a full breakdown of application funding requests and an updated timeline:
- Track 1: 131 applications received, $33,953,954.00 requested
- Track 2: 39 applications received, $12,168,015.03 requested
- Track 3: 100 applications received, $16,682,553.08 requested
- Track 4: 229 applications received, $66,198,290.36 requested
Program Timeline
Activity | Date (estimated) PT Pacific Time |
---|---|
Grant Application Opens | February 13, 2024 |
Grant Application Closes | April 4, 2024 @ 5 PM PT |
Q&A Zoom Sessions | Weekly throughout the application period |
Review Process | April - Summer 2024 |
Award Announcement | Summer 2024 |
Grant Term Begins | November 2024 |
Grant Term Ends | October 2026 |
The CDFA 2023-24 California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program will award up to $52.8 million in competitive grants to support projects that cultivate equity, nurture students, build climate resilience, and create scalable and sustainable change.
Read the press release.
Request for Applications (RFA)
Online Grant Application Portal Links
- Apply to Track 1: The California Farm to School TK-12 Procurement and Education Grant
- Apply to Track 2: The California Farm to School Technical Assistance (TA) Grant
- Apply to Track 3: The California Farm to Early Care and Education (ECE) Grant
- Apply to Track 4: The California Farm to School Producer Grant
Application Questions and Review Criteria
To support a systems approach to advancing farm to school throughout the state, the 2023-24 California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program offers four funding tracks.
- Track 1: The California Farm to School TK-12 Procurement and Education Grant
- Track 2: The California Farm to School Technical Assistance (TA) Grant
- Track 3: The California Farm to Early Care and Education (ECE) Grant
- Track 4: The California Farm to School Producer Grant
The CDFA cannot assist in the preparation of grant applications; however, for general assistance and questions related to the Farm to School Incubator Grant Program process, please contact the CDFA Office of Farm to Fork via email at cafarmtoschool@cdfa.ca.gov.
CDFA-F2F will anonymize and summarize the questions and answers online on a weekly basis so that all potential applicants may benefit from submitted questions and answers. To ensure a response from the CDFA, please submit questions by March 28, 2024.
At the beginning of the application period, the CDFA-F2F will host an info session via Zoom to provide an overview of the 2023-24 California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program.
During the application period, the CDFA-F2F will conduct a series of weekly Q&A Zoom Sessions about the California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program Request for Applications. Each session will include time for questions and answers.
Additionally, the CDFA-F2F will conduct Q&A Zoom Sessions specifically for California Native American Tribes, Tribal-based non-profit organizations, and Tribal schools.
Please follow the Zoom registration links below. Each session will be recorded and posted online.
- Download the Info Session Slide Deck - English or Español
- Grant Info Session
- View the recording (English)
- View the recordings (Español)
- Q&A Zoom Sessions
- Thursday, February 22 @ 1pm – View the Recording
- Thursday, February 22 @ 3pm* – View the Recording
- Thursday, February 29 @ 6pm – View the Recording
- Thursday, March 7 @ 10am – View the Recording
- Thursday, March 7 @ 11:30am* – View the Recording
- Thursday, March 14 @ 10am – View the Recording
- NEW! Wednesday, March 20 @ 4 pm (Spanish) – View the Recording
- Thursday, March 21 @ 12pm – View Part 1 | View Part 2
- Thursday, March 28 @ 6pm – View the Recording
- Thursday, April 4 @ 11am – View the Recording
*For California Native American Tribes, Tribal-based non-profit organizations, and Tribal schools (open to the public)
CDFA-F2F hosted a public comment period from November 29 - December 14, 2023.
- Read the Press Release
- Download the Public Info Session slide deck
- View the Public Info Session Recordings
Previous Grant Awards
View information about previous grant rounds and view the project summaries of previously awarded grant projects below!
The 2021 California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program is focused on supporting local and regional farm to school projects that promote nutrition education, sustainable food production and procurement, and high-quality student experience.
Grant Awards
In 2021, CDFA-F2F awarded $8.496 million in grants to 60 Farm to School projects throughout the state through two funding tracks!
Resources
The 2022 California Farm to School Incubator Grant Program is focused on supporting projects that cultivate equity, nurture students, build climate resilience, and create scalable and sustainable change.
Grant Awards
In 2022, as part of California's nation-leading investment in farm to school programs, CDFA-F2F awarded $25.5 million in funding for 120 farm to school projects across the state. In total, these projects represent 1,489,364 students, 163 school districts and educational entities, over 50 farms, four food hubs and enormous support from California's urban, rural and suburban communities.
- Read the full announcement here.
- View the list of 2022 CA Farm to School Incubator Grant Program Award Recipients
- Read the 2022 CA Farm to School Incubator Grant Program Project Summaries
Resources
- Press Release
- 2022 Request for Applications
- Track 1 Application Questions and Review Criteria
- Track 2 Application Questions and Review Criteria
- Track 3 Application Questions and Review Criteria
- Track 4 Application Questions and Review Criteria
- 2022 Webinar Slide Deck
- 2022 FAQs
- 2022 Questions and Answers
- Public Info Session Slide Deck
- Public Info Session Recording
- Summary of Public Comments and CDFA Responses
Program Status
APPLICATION REVIEW
The 2023-24 Farm to School Incubator Grant Program application period is closed and applications are under review.
Sign Up for Updates
To stay up to date, please sign up for our newsletter.
Scroll down to "ISD / Farm to Fork (ISD_FTF)" and select "CA Farm to School" to join the mailing list.
Related Grant Opportunities
Grant Opportunities for Producers
Questions?
Contact our Farm to School team at cafarmtoschool@cdfa.ca.gov