By SAMANTHA BEAL
Clarion News writer
North Clarion Superintendent Steve Young recently reported the district applied for a $100,000 Farm to School Grant with a $25,000 match and in-kind services earlier this year.
The total value of the grant is about $133,000.
“With a grant that size a federal grant, very competitive we didn’t think we’d have a chance at all,” admitted Young.
North Clarion received an email suggesting otherwise.
“They’re asking for specifics,” announced Young. “That’s a really good sign.”
Young said the district originally included a tractor in its grant budget, but was informed tractors are considered vehicles and didn’t qualify as an allowable expense. The district removed the item and adjusted the budget.
With the grant, the district wants to focus on expanding its potato crop and processing potatoes in both school kitchens.
With the purchase of things like a chisel plow, rototiller, cabinet steamers and curly fry cutters, the district can work both in the field and in the kitchen. Young noted there would be opportunities to work with Long Acres Potato Farms during storage and processing.
“In the first year, we may only harvest enough potatoes to last several weeks,” explained Young.
He explained the district can supplement with local potato purchases. North Clarion budgeted $4,000 for “taste testing,” which means the district can buy potatoes from Long Acres to test processing equipment.
Young explained the grant would allow the district to expand the garden it already has and expand as needed.
“(Like) farm-to-table starting off with the potatoes, but then expanding it year-to-year,” said Young.
Young plans for potatoes to be processed and served to elementary and high school students. The grant will also allow students particularly in high school biology and the elementary to be involved with growing, gathering and distributing food. A separately secured PAsmart Grant gives students access to things like drones, which may be able to help with soil testing and planting.
The district should know by the end of June if it’s awarded a grant.
“If we get it, we’re going to see, I think, a savings within the cafeteria,” concluded Young. “I think we’ve got a chance.”