Best Grants For Agricultural Education in Connecticut

Schools, school districts, childcare centers and homes, and organizations in Connecticut can receive grants to develop or expand farm-to-school programs and agricultural education. The Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s CT Grown for CT Kids Grant supports projects that increase local foods in child nutrition programs and provide hands-on learning about nutrition and farm-to-school connections, with awards up to US $50,000.

Connecticut schools, childcare providers, and organizations developing farm to school programs in Connecticut can access funding through the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, with microgrants up to US $5,000. Projects can increase local food in child nutrition programs, support hands-on agricultural education, and strengthen relationships with local farmers over 6–12 months.

Agricultural education and extension programs helping producers in Connecticut improve risk management and crop insurance use can seek up to US $100,000 for 18‑month projects. University of Delaware’s Northeast Extension Risk Management Education Center funds training on production, marketing, financial, legal, or human risk for agricultural producers who underutilize Federal crop insurance.

Agricultural education organizations in Connecticut and other eligible Northeast states can receive up to US $10,000 to deliver producer-focused risk management education. University of Delaware’s Extension Risk Management Education Exploratory Projects fund workshops, conferences, or development projects that help farmers and ranchers improve economic viability and prepare for future, larger ERME funding opportunities.

Nonprofit and educational organizations serving agricultural producers in Connecticut can seek funding for risk management education projects that strengthen producers’ economic viability. University of Delaware’s Northeast Extension Risk Management Education Center offers up to US $75,000 for programs addressing production, marketing, financial, legal, or human risk in agriculture, including agricultural education initiatives.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Connecticut with established budgets and community ties can seek funding for workforce preparation, youth development, and related skill-building programs. RBC Foundation USA provides support for initiatives that build in-demand skills, offer internships or apprenticeships, and may include agricultural education components where they advance career readiness and inclusive community prosperity.

Local 501(c)(3) organizations in Connecticut and the broader Northeast offering agricultural education, youth development, nutrition, or related community programs can seek up to US $2,500 to support their work. The Howard E. Stark Charitable Foundation favors small, well-run groups with limited assets and government funding that relieve suffering for people or animals in need.

Georgia students pursuing agricultural or poultry-related degrees can receive the Gainesville Chicken Scholarship to support higher education costs. With a mission to strengthen education, North Georgia Community Foundation provides agricultural education students with a US $2,000 award for full-time study at an accredited college or university; Connecticut agricultural programs may find this informative but are not eligible.

Students planning to study agriculture, including those in Connecticut, can apply for the Aryln J. Walt Memorial Scholarship, which supports agricultural education. Offered through the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation’s unified scholarship application, it is awarded to Coopersville-area students interested in farming and related agricultural fields, and may benefit future agricultural education professionals.

Agricultural students can receive scholarship support for undergraduate studies through the Marshall County Community Foundation, which funds agricultural education programs. Marshall County, Indiana residents pursuing full-time freshman agricultural programs or classes may be eligible. Awards may be renewable, and recipients must show successful completion of their first term to receive funds.

Grants from Marshall County Community Foundation help Connecticut agricultural education students by highlighting a scholarship model focused on math-focused high school seniors. The Breanna Lemler Scholarship supports Marshall County, Indiana seniors planning to major in mathematics, with preference for those involved in athletics, 4-H, or with an agricultural background.

Students pursuing agricultural studies, including those interested in agricultural education, may be eligible for scholarships supporting higher education; awards are administered nationally, including Connecticut. Marshall County Community Foundation supports these scholars through the Culver Young Farmers Agricultural Scholarship, which can be renewed annually for previous recipients who continue to meet all qualifications.

Students pursuing agricultural education or green energy careers in Delaware can receive a one-time US $1,000 scholarship that may support their academic goals. Grants from Delaware Community Foundation help agricultural education students, including those with interests similar to Connecticut agricultural programs, by prioritizing Delaware residents, with preference for Sussex County.

DeKalb County 4-H seniors pursuing agriculture-related education can use this scholarship for tuition, books, and other school expenses at accredited trade schools, colleges, or universities. The Dekalb County Community Foundation’s Bob Suddeth 4-H Scholarship Fund emphasizes long-term 4-H involvement and financial need, which may interest agricultural education advocates in Connecticut seeking comparable opportunities.

Graduating seniors and second-year post-high school students pursuing agriculture or conservation studies can receive US $5,000 - US $10,000 in scholarships through the Samardzija-Gutesha Family Fund, including those from Connecticut. With a mission to foster agricultural education, Dekalb County Community Foundation also backs internships, seminars, and local organizations promoting sustainable farming and resource conservation.

Every Battle Creek area resident shall have the resources to access post-secondary education and training.

Your dreams matter — and we want to help you achieve them. Whether you’re a graduating high school senior, an adult returning to school, or a graduate student pursuing advanced education, we’re here to support you by opening doors to opportunity.

Beyond tuition, many funds support total cost of attendance — books, fees, equipment, and in some cases childcare or transportation.

Checks are made payable to the educational institution indicated on the follow-up and mailed directly to the educational institution. Checks are typically mailed in early August.

Homer FFA Alumni Scholarship Fund

Established in 1983 the Homer FFA Alumni is a support group for the Homer FFA chapter. The Homer FFA chapter was established in 1948. The Homer FFA Alumni Chapter focuses on premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. Homer FFA Alumnus have received national recognition as an Outstanding Alumni Affiliate. The Homer FFA Alumni Scholarship was established in 2002. The Homer FFA Alumni highly encourage current FFA members to reach their fullest potential through furthering their education, beyond high school.

About the Foundation

Kern Community Foundation is a vibrant nonprofit enterprise with a powerfully simple mission of growing community and growing philanthropy.

Scholarships

Kern Community Foundation manages more than two dozen scholarship funds. Community stakeholders have created these scholarships to honor their loved ones, to support higher education, and to foster the improvement of students as they pursue their diverse ambitions. Students have access to all our scholarship resources through one simple application.

Nickel Family Scholarship for Agricultural Education

The Nickel Family Scholarship for Agricultural Education (“Fund”) was established in 2015 by Adele Nickel, on behalf of the Nickel Family and the Nickel Family Trust. The permanently endowed scholarship fund provides academic support to Central Valley students interested in Agriculture.

The scholarship is available to students admitted to community colleges, and public and private colleges and universities, including accredited technical schools.

Don and Bern Holcomb Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was created in memory of Don and Bern Holcomb and is for high school students from any school in Cattaraugus or Allegany county who plans to attend an accredited post-secondary institution, with a preference for a student majoring in an agricultural or conservation-related field or a female pursuing an engineering degree.

The Tribal Colleges Research Grants Program (TCRGP) aims to enhance research capacity at Tribal colleges, focusing on agriculture, natural resources, and human sciences. By fostering leadership skills and knowledge, the program prepares students for competitive careers in agriculture and related fields. Projects involving innovative agricultural technologies, such as AI and data science, are encouraged. TCRGP also emphasizes training opportunities for undergraduate students to equip them for success in a digital society and explore pathways in AI for food and agricultural sciences.

Students pursuing agricultural science degrees in the U.S., including those from Connecticut, can seek scholarship support for two- or four-year colleges, vocational schools, or technical programs. Arkansas Community Foundation’s Clay and Margaret Godfrey Memorial Agricultural Scholarship is part of its broader scholarship program, with a portal and quiz to help applicants identify matching opportunities.

Graduating high school seniors pursuing agricultural or environmental studies can receive scholarship support for higher education, including students from Connecticut, through the Terence J. Centner Agricultural and Environmental 4-H Scholarship. Focused on agricultural education, Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation invites 4-H participants with at least three years in the program and an outstanding related project to apply.

BIPOC-led and BIPOC-allied community-based organizations and Tribal nations working on food systems, infrastructure, or policy can seek Growing Justice Fund support for equitable good food procurement projects, including in Connecticut. Grants from Growing Justice Fund help advance agricultural education, food security, and traditional food pathways through planning and implementation efforts. Awards range from US $10,000 - US $25,000.

Focused on agricultural education, Stanislaus Community Foundation invites students pursuing degrees in agriculture or horticulture to apply for the Bob Boggeri Farms Fund. This U.S. scholarship awards US $1,000 to FFA members with financial need, with preference for applicants from Hughson, and may benefit those interested in agricultural education opportunities similar to Connecticut programs.

Stanislaus Community Foundation provides scholarship opportunities for students in order to help them achieve their educational and career goals. We believe that by investing in our students, we are investing in a brighter future for Stanislaus. 

David W. Moore Memorial Scholarship

Open to graduating seniors from Atwater, Golden Valley and Oakdale pursuing a degree in agriculture, ag-related fields, animal science or teaching or primary healthcare. Students must demonstrate financial need, community involvement and have a 2.5+ GPA.

Award Amount:

• $2,500

Scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors. Applications are accepted from mid-November until mid-March. Scholarship award recipients will be announced at the high school awards ceremony. 

Susquehanna Beekeepers Association College Scholarship

Established by the Susquehanna Beekeepers Association to provide college tuition assistance to students from northeastern Pennsylvania who will major in agriculture or biology.

Scholarships are available to graduating high school seniors. Applications are accepted from mid-November until mid-March. Scholarship award recipients will be announced at the high school awards ceremony. 

Van Cott Family Memorial Scholarship

Established in memory of Kermit Van Cott and his son Forrest to provide tuition assistance to a graduating Senior from one of the High Schools in Susquehanna County, with priority given to Blue Ridge, who will major in Landscape Architecture, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Horticulture, Botany, Forestry, or Agriculture and who will matriculate at college or a post-secondary degree program.

The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) focuses on enhancing education and workforce development in food and agricultural sciences. It invites applications for various grants aimed at professional development, non-formal education for youth, community college training, and fellowships for both predoctoral and postdoctoral candidates. The program, managed by the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, emphasizes the cultivation of skills necessary for the future workforce in agriculture, with multiple deadlines for submissions.