GJCS awarded $618,309 Farm to School Grant; Seeking local farmers and producers

Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools has been awarded funding through the USDA Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program. The funds will bring local fruits, vegetables and proteins into the school for use in the National School Lunch and National School Breakfast programs. The grant allows for the purchase of equipment, training, and staff in support of technical assistance and the promotion of agricultural education.

Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools are in their second year of a growing Farm to School program. Students on campus are getting agricultural education in grades Kindergarten through 12th grade, and at multiple levels are given the opportunity to participate in gardening on campus. Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools will use this federal funding to expand the number of local foods served to students daily.

Likely projects for this funding includes bringing A2 protein milk into the school for student meals and finding further processing of Indiana fruits and vegetables in season so that they may be used year round in our schools. The school corporation would like to partner with our local farmers and producers to be able to harvest in season and then in turn be able to have frozen products such as an Indiana vegetable blend that we could use out of season.

Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools was awarded $618,309 in the grant. Some of these funds are matching dollars. The grant period runs from October 30, 2026 through December 31, 2028.

Local farmers and producers interested in partnering with Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools Farm to School program are encouraged to contact Tim Stoner at (812) 481 4844 to get more information.