Federal grant programs / Department of Agriculture

Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program (10.522)

Also known as FASLP; Food and Ag Service Learning

• Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$18.2 million
• Grant awards43
• Typical award$219,887
• Awarded in FY 2025$943,143
• Size rank1344 of 1824
• Type of assistanceProject grants (discretionary)

Key findings

• Annual funding fell from $2.0 million in fiscal 2021 to $943,143 in fiscal 2025.
• It is the 1344th largest of 1,824 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
• The 20 largest recipients received 77% of the money.
• Awards went to recipients in 27 states and territories.

What the program funds

The purposes of the Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program (FASLP) are: (1) to increase capacity for food, garden, and nutrition education within host organizations or entities and school cafeterias and in the classroom; (2) to complement and build on the efforts of the farm-to-school programs implemented under section 18(g) of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769(g)); (3) to complement efforts by the Department and school food authorities to implement the school lunch program established under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.) and the school breakfast program established by section 1773 of title 42; (4) to carry out activities that advance the nutritional health of children and nutrition education in elementary schools and secondary schools (as those terms are defined in section 7801 of title 20); and (5) to foster higher levels of community engagement and support the expansion of national service and volunteer opportunities.

From the federal Assistance Listing. Read the full listing on SAM.gov.

Open opportunities

No opportunity under this program is open or forecast on Grants.gov right now. Programs often post once a year, so the funding history below shows what to expect.

Rules from the program listing

Who can apply

The Secretary may make grants to carry out research, extension, and education under this subsection to- (A) State agricultural experiment stations; (B) colleges and universities; (C) university research foundations; (D) other research institutions and organizations; (E) Federal agencies; (F) national laboratories; (G) private organizations, foundations, or corporations; (H) individuals; or (I) any group consisting of 2 or more of the entities described in subparagraphs (A) through (H).

What the money can and cannot pay for

In making grants under this section, the Secretary may consider projects that are carried out by entities that- (A) have a proven track record in carrying out the purposes described in subsection (b); (B) work in underserved rural and urban communities; (C) teach and engage children in experiential learning about agriculture, gardening, nutrition, cooking, and where food comes from; and (D) facilitate a connection between elementary schools and secondary schools and agricultural producers in the local and regional area. Indirect Cost (IDC) not to exceed 30 percent of Total Federal Funds Awarded (TFFA) of the recipient. Section 1462(a) and (c) of the National Agricultural Research, Extension, and Teaching Policy Act of 1977 (NARETPA) limits IDC for the overall award to 30 percent of Total Federal Funds Awarded (TFFA) under a research, education, or extension grant.;

Matching requirements

This program has no statutory formula. Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

Award range and average, in the agency's words

If minimum or maximum amounts of funding per competitive and/or capacity project grant, or cooperative agreement are established, these amounts will be announced in the annual Competitive Request for Application (RFA).

Examples of funded projects

Fiscal Year2025: One FY?2025 FASLP-funded project is a nationwide youth-led initiative with 4-H to reduce food waste and promote healthy eating. Through the “Healthy Habits: Food Loss and Waste” grants, Extension programs offer enrichment in schools (including after school and summer), conduct food waste audits, and train youths on composting, preservation, and redistribution of excess food. As part of this project, approximately 1,100 teens participated in the 2025 Ignite by 4-H conference and engaged in activities such as pickling workshops, oyster-shell art, and career explorations. Expected outcomes include reduced plate waste in school feeding programs, strengthened youth leadership in food-system solutions, expanded garden and nutrition education capacity, and enhanced community engagement and partnerships. Another FY?2025 FASLP project focuses on development of school-based food and garden education programs. While details are emerging, the project is expected to include leadership academies and in-classroom activities that connect students with farms, teach food system science, and encourage healthier eating and reduced food loss. Expected outcomes for this initiative include increased student knowledge about agricultural processes, improvements in students’ nutritional choices, development of leadership and critical-thinking skills, reduced food waste in school cafeterias, and stronger collaboration between schools and local farms.

Quoted from the program's federal Assistance Listing. The notice of funding opportunity is the official source for each competition's rules.

Who usually wins

Nonprofits received 86% of the money, colleges and universities 12% and individuals 1.2%.

By state

1 state has a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards. It is Maryland.

Award amounts are federal obligations reported to USAspending.gov for fiscal 2021 to 2025; see how our data works.