By Shelby Shank
Field Editor

Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) named the recipients of the Learning From the Ground Up garden grants for 2024-2025.

Thirty-nine grants, totaling $19,500, were awarded to schools and educational programs across Texas for projects that aim to enhance agricultural literacy and awareness.

“These grants give students the chance to connect directly with agriculture and cultivate a better understanding of where their food comes from,” said Jordan Bartels, associate director of TFB’s Organization Division, Educational Outreach. “By connecting science and gardening, teachers can help students build the connection between gardening to growing crops on a larger scale and foster a deeper appreciation for how food is grown and for the people who grow it.”

Projects include establishing or improving school gardens, raised beds, greenhouses and outdoor classrooms that provide students with hands-on learning experiences about agriculture and food production.

Recipients of the 2024-2025 garden grants are:

  • Groom ISD, Carson County
  • Lefors School, Gray-Roberts County
  • Alcove Trails Middle School, Lubbock County
  • O’Donnell Elementary, Lynn-Garza County
  • Whiteface Elementary, Cochran County
  • Donna Zimmerer Licensed Child Care, Cooke County
  • Prairie Valley ISD, Montague County
  • Bell Manor Elementary, Tarrant County
  • Honey Grove Elementary, Fannin County
  • Whitesboro Intermediate, Grayson County
  • Jane Ruestmann Elementary, Denton County
  • South Grand Prairie High School, Dallas County
  • Cooper Elementary, Delta County
  • Eustace Middle School, Henderson County
  • UTTUA Longview, Gregg County
  • Alpine Christian School, Brewster County
  • Christoval High School, Tom Green County
  • Sierra Vista CDC, Tom Green County
  • Hook Elementary School, Erath County
  • Llano Junior High, Llano County
  • Priddy School, Mills County
  • Compass Rose Harvest Middle School, Lee-Bastrop County
  • Rockdale High School, Milam County
  • Mary’s Catholic School, Williamson County
  • Cayuga Elementary, Anderson County
  • North Zulch Secondary, Madison County
  • Wells High School, Cherokee County
  • Alkek Elementary, Bandera County
  • Great Hearts Forest Heights, Bexar County
  • Helena’s Episcopal School, Kendall County
  • Fleming Middle School, Harris County
  • Frostwood Elementary, Harris County
  • Lawrence E. Elkins High School, Fort Bend County
  • Robert L. Crippen Elementary, Montgomery County
  • Marion Elementary School Karrer Campus, Guadalupe County
  • La Vernia Intermediate, Wilson County
  • Andrew Jackson Elementary, Hidalgo County
  • Raul Yzaguirre Middle School, Hidalgo County
  • Salinas Elementary, Hildago County

The next application process will open in summer 2025.

For more information about garden grants, other educational opportunities and Ag in the Classroom materials, visit  texasfarmbureau.org/aitc or email edoutreach@txfb.org.