Grant for gardens on public land

Grant: "Growing Community: The Library Food Garden"

Available to Ohio libraries

The State Library of Ohio has announced the availability of Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds for a special grant program entitled "Growing Community: the Library Food Garden."

This special grant program was developed in recognition of the 2010 National Library Week theme, "Communities Thrive @ Your Library," and the water theme of the 2010 Summer Reading Program. Growing Community encourages libraries to partner with other community entities to establish food gardens on library or school property, or other public land, during the 2010 growing season. In order to be funded projects must demonstrate community partnerships as well as include library-based activities in the areas of "Health and nutrition," "Sustainability and ecology" and/or "Hunger/poverty issues."

Funds may be used to purchase seeds and plants, gardening tools and supplies, copies of materials and titles on gardening in various formats, marketing and promotion of the program, and speaker fees and other costs associated with program activities. All types of Ohio libraries are eligible for this grant program which has a federal request limit of $7,500. A local cash match of 25% of the total project cost is required. Electronic proposals are due at the State Library midnight on March 1, 2010. Approved proposals will run from May 1, 2010 through September 30, 2010. For RFP, see http://oh.webjunction.org/ohlstagrowcomm

Gardens designed to produce vegetables, fruit, nuts, and/or herbs provide a living lesson in the origins of our food. They promote appreciation for the agricultural heritage of Ohio. They give communities the opportunity to thrive by literally feeding community members. Through direct involvement in the work of the garden, and through educational programming and books and other media, food gardens engage residents of all ages and of different abilities in learning about plant life, gardening practices, life cycles, ecology, nutrition, hunger, and more.

[Text source: Press release, State Library of Ohio, 1/14/2010]

[Photo source: © UW-Madison University Communications]