The purpose of the grants is to provide funding support for accredited K-12 Guilford County school gardening programs as a part of the Guilford County Extension Master Gardener℠ volunteers' public outreach initiatives. Grants can be used to fund a new garden, revitalize a previously abandoned garden, or improve an existing garden.

Submit an online application here.

The deadline to apply is September 15, 2026.

Learning objectives that could be incorporated into your school garden include:

• accessible gardening
• attracting pollinators
• climate/weather
• composting
• crop production
• pest management
• plants for human health
• seed starting
• soil testing
• stormwater management/rain gardens
• sustainability practices
• therapeutic horticulture
• tree canopy and more!

Some examples of previously funded grants include the purchase of:

- garden construction materials including raised beds, bed covers, hydroponics equipment, rocks for a rain garden

- compost, plants, gardening tools, hoses, row covers and other gardening supplies

- tables, gardening shed and hardscape for outdoor learning centers

- supplies and curriculum that utilize the garden as an outdoor classroom

Building An Itemized Budget for a School Garden Grant:

All grant applications will require a proposed itemized budget for you what you would like to do with your school garden project. Use this page of resources to help with that budget. Use this guide to help map out what an itemized budget would look like and to see examples.

Contact Holly Key, hmkey@ncsu.edu or (336) 641-2414, if you have any technical questions with the online process or require a paper application.
Questions about the grant cycle, including help brainstorming how your school might use a grant, or help developing an itemized budget, may be directed to the Guilford EMG Youth Committee at guilfordemgschoolgrants@gmail.com.

The Guilford County School Garden Grant Program is Sponsored by NC Extension and NC Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteers. Funds for this grant come from the proceeds of the Guilford County Extension Master Gardener's℠ annual Passalong Plant Sale. This sale is held yearly in May. No purchase is necessary to apply for or receive a grant.