The Piedmont Master Gardeners Association is once again offering grants for youth education related to horticulture and gardening. Any public or private K-12 educator or schoolyard garden coordinator in Charlottesville or Albemarle County may apply for a 2024 grant.

Grant applications must be submitted by February 26, 2024. The grant guidelines, application form, and application instructions are available on the Piedmont Master Gardeners Association website. The grant guidelines and application form also may be obtained by contacting Mary Voorhees, School Grant Committee Chair, at mdv1952@aol.com.

The grants will be awarded in early March and will range from $100 to $400. They may be used to purchase such items as seeds, plants, tools, soil tests, fertilizer, compost and mulch, as well as books and other instructional materials, but not labor. In past years, these funds have enabled K-12 students to learn about vegetable gardening, herb gardening, gardening for pollinators, hydroponic gardening, and composting. Schools also have used grant funds to engage students in establishing food gardens, native plant gardens, and rain gardens on their campuses.