Building on the established and successful Monarch Lab Schoolyard Garden Grant Program, the USFWS and the National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) have partnered with the Monarch Lab to distribute garden grants of US$1,000 to National Food for All Organization (FFA) chapters across the country. The FFA’s unique connection to agriculture provides it with a great opportunity to encourage the creation and restoration of monarch habitat on agricultural lands.

“FFA chapters have the opportunity to help reverse this loss by designing their own garden, enhancing an existing garden, or improving habitat on United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USWFS) refuges or agricultural land” (Monarch Lab 2015). FFA chapters that receive garden grants can use the funds to purchase plants, equipment, signage and staff development. FFA chapters that install habitat on agricultural lands or on National Fish and Wildlife Refuge lands receive preference, but the opportunity is open to all FFA chapters.

• University of Minnesota Monarch Lab. 2015. 2015–2016 FFA Garden Grants. http://monarchlab.org/education-and-gardening/gardening-for-monarchs/garden-grants/ffa-garden-grants/.

Keywords: gardening