Earlier this month, the Youngstown City School District was awarded a $94,644 Farm to School grant.

The grant was a part of the Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program, which awarded $10.7 million to 103 projects across the country. The investments are set to help 1.2 million children from nearly 3,000 schools in 40 states and the territory of Guam.

“The opportunities afforded by the Farm to School grant will considerably leave an impact on our scholars,” Jeremy Batchelor, YCSD superintendent said. “We specifically built an educational component to coincide with the wellness piece so scholars can have a hands-on, educational experience. We are beyond grateful to the USDA for its support of Youngstown City Schools.”

The USDA’s investment will help YCSD develop, implement and evaluate a Farm to School implementation for 13 of its schools. In a partnership with the grants office, food services, and Y-STEAM, along with Fork Farms, YCSD will create and engage families and students in hydroponic gardening at the school sites. The district also will plan and create professional development for staff, design an innovative curriculum and host family events to taste the produce.