Brown Announces Federal Funding for Agricultural Learning Program in Garfield Heights

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Shontel Brown (OH-11) is proud to announce that the “Garfield Heights Grows” project has been awarded federal funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The Trust for Public Land has been awarded a $344,257 Farm to School Grant from USDA for the program, which will connect local schools in Garfield Heights with community partners to expand hands-on learning opportunities, increase access to fresh, locally sourced foods, and build long-term connections between students and the food they eat. 

The Trust for Public Land will partner with Garfield Heights City Schools, RidAll Green Partnership, and The Ohio State University for the project, which will create new learning opportunities for middle school and high school students. The project will include a greenhouse, raised garden beds, aquaponics and hydroponics, all producing fresh produce and tilapia. 

Farm to School Grants are competitive and Congresswoman Brown urged USDA to select the project in a letter of support in December. 

“This investment is a win for Garfield Heights students, families, and the future of urban agriculture in our community. This grant will help create hands-on learning opportunities in our schools, expand access to fresh and healthy food, and open pathways for young people to pursue careers in sustainability and food systems. As a champion of the Farm to School program in Congress, I’m proud to see these federal resources supporting school gardens and nutrition education right here in our district,” said Congresswoman Shontel Brown. 

“Being selected for this USDA Farm to School grant underscores the power of connecting students to nature, healthy food, and hands-on learning,” said Sean Terry, Ohio Program Director at Trust for Public Land. “Garfield Heights Grows will transform schoolyards into vibrant spaces where students can learn, grow, and thrive while building lifelong healthy habits.”

Designed to increase the availability of local foods in schools, USDA Farm to School grants can help farm to school programs get started or expand existing efforts. Funds support a wide range of activities from training, planning, and developing partnerships to creating new menu items, establishing supply chains, offering taste tests to children, purchasing equipment, planting school gardens, and organizing field trips to agricultural operations.

Grantees include schools and districts (large and small, rural and urban), tribal organizations, agricultural producers or groups of agricultural producers, non-profit entities, and state and local agencies.

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