Tennessee Farm Bureau (Tennessee Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom)
Outdoor Classroom Garden Grant
Tennessee Farm Bureau gives up to $500 to start a school garden that grows farm crops or vegetables, and up to $250 to keep one going. There is no deadline.
- Amount
- Up to $500 for a new garden; up to $250 for an ongoing garden (both need matching funds)
- Can a for-profit school apply?
- Unclear: ask the funder
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Who this fits
- Private schoolWritten for schools, 4-H clubs and FFA chapters with at least 100 students in average daily attendance, so most microschools and co-ops are too small. The page does not say public only, but it does not name private schools either.Religious schools: not stated, ask the funder
- New schools
- Not stated for new schools
- Where
- Tennessee only
- Last checked
- Oct 28, 2026on tnfarmbureau.org
Unconfirmed: check with the funder
We couldn’t confirm these on an official page. Treat them as open questions, not facts.
- Whether private or religious schools have received this grant
- Whether a for-profit school can apply
- How much money is left this year
How to apply
- Step 1: Line up your county Extension agent, an NRCS Area Conservationist and a farmer volunteer as advisors
- Step 2: Plan a garden with farm crops or vegetables on or next to your school
- Step 3: Find matching funds or in-kind help (materials, labor, equipment)
- Step 4: Download the garden grant application and list your workshop teachers
- Step 5: Mail it to AITC, PO Box 313, Columbia, TN 38402, or fax (931) 840-8699; questions to Chris Fleming, (931) 388-7872 ext. 2759
Funders change their requirements. Check the official page before you apply. Getting ready? See what funders usually ask for.
Who can apply
“Criteria for Schools, 4-H Clubs and FFA Chapters”
The page does not say whether private schools qualify; it lists criteria for schools with no public-only rule. The garden must be on or next to the school, grow farm crops or vegetables (not flowers, butterfly gardens or nature trails), and be advised by an Extension agent, an NRCS conservationist and a farmer volunteer. A teacher must have attended, or agree to attend, an Ag in the Classroom workshop. New and ongoing gardens both need matching funds (in-kind help counts as a listed source). Money is awarded by your county Farm Bureau. The application says the grant you ask for cannot be more than the value of your matching sponsorship.
- At least 100 students in average daily attendance
- Garden on or next to the school site
- Farm crops or vegetables (livestock, chicken coops and bee hives also OK); no flower, butterfly or nature-trail projects
- Advised by an Extension agent, an NRCS Area Conservationist and a farmer volunteer
- Teacher and parent involvement
- A teacher has attended, or will attend, an Ag in the Classroom workshop
- Matching sponsorship (cash or in-kind) at least equal to the grant you ask for
Timing
No deadline. Applications are accepted as long as grant money is available.