Aquaponics USA




760-671-3053

A Grant brought this FGS-44L STEM Food Growing

into the Library of this School!

More great GRANT RESOURCES! The Aquaponics USA STEM Teaching & Food Growing System, you see in the photo at the top of the page has a 320 gallon Fish Tank and four 11 sq. ft. Grow Beds. It was purchased through a Grant from the Feeding America Program which operates many of these Community Food Banks throughout the U.S. so we're starting there below

Toshiba is offering Grants for Grades K-5 and Grades 6-12. The K-5 Grants go up to $1,000 and have an October 1 Deadline every year.

The 6-12 Grants focus on Science and Math Education and have an August 1 deadline if the Grant request is for more than $5,000. All Grant requests $5,000 and under are evaluated on a rolling basis.

The NEA  Grants focus on improving the academic achievement of students in U.S. public schools and public higher education institutions in any subject area(s). The proposed work should engage students in critical thinking and problem solving that deepen their knowledge of standards-based subject matter. The work should also improve students' habits of inquiry, self-directed learning and critical reflection.

The Grant Amounts available are $2,000 and $5,000. Deadlines for  Applications are Feb. 1, June 1 and October 15.

     

      Help Us Help Kids Know More

SARE stands for Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education. It is a USDA Program that is divided into four regions including the North Central, Southern, Western and Northeast Regions. You need to apply for your Grant through your Regional Office.

If you're in the North Central Region, there's a "Youth Educator Grant Program" that offers $2,000 to educators to provide programming on sustainable agriculture for youth. Click here to see an example of a funded Aquaponics Grant in that category.


There may be other opportunities from SARE in other Regions; but you'll have to scour through the SARE website to find them.

The Whole Kids Foundation in partnership with FoodCorps, created the School Garden Grant Program which awards Grants in the amount of $2,000 to K-12 Schools or a non-profit working in partnership with a K-12 school to support a new or existing edible garden on school grounds.

DuPont Pioneer was annually allocating thousands of dollars in Grants to provide agriscience educators with training and classroom resources to implement the Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education (CASE) that will better prepare students for future careers in agriculture and food.

CASE is a multi-year approach to agriscience education with rigorous educator training requirements and hands-on, inquiry focused learning activities. The DuPont Pioneer grants were available to teachers who have wanted to implement the CASE curriculum, but have not been able to because of school budgets.

We can't find anything about DuPont Pioneer at this time, but it may come back in the future. In the meantime, check out the incredibly orchestrated CASE Program that was made available from a past DuPont Grant.

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture, NIFA, is a USDA Program that posts Requests for Applications (RFAs) on their website. You have to find the Program area you are interested in and then search through the available (Open) RFAs.

You are then led to the appropriate page where you can download the Grant instructions and Application. This is a place where you would go to get large sums of Grant monies to create a School System wide Aquaponics Program rather than to get money to purchase one classroom system.

The Kids Gardening Grants is an award designed to support school and youth educational garden projects that enhance the quality of life for students and their communities. Any nonprofit, school, or youth program planning a new garden program or expanding an established one that serves at least 15 youth between the ages of 3 and 18 is eligible to apply. The selection of winners is based on demonstrated program impact and sustainability.

Right now, we're running a Campaign in our own State of Arizona, so it is being featured. As our Campaign widens to other States, we will have a separate Page for every State.

The Maine Agriculture in the Classroom created its Grant Program by selling the Maine AG4ME Specialty License Plates to Maine's drivers. There are several different Grant Programs including the $1,000 Agriculture Awareness Grants and the $3,000 School Garden Grants.

An elementary school built an Aquaponics System using their Agriculture Awareness Grants. You'll need to contact the website by email at maitca@maine.gov or by phone 207-287-5522 to discuss how to get your Application and the Deadlines.

The Colorado Garden Foundation supports horticulture and horticultural related projects and those groups that are involved or directly related. Education is emphasized. Areas of interest include horticultural-related research, education, therapy and community improvements. Maximum Grants are $15,000.

Grapes from California is sponsoring their Innovation in Teaching Education Grants. Schools in the table grape growing regions of California’s San Joaquin and Coachella valleys are benefiting from grants awarded this academic year.

For information, contact educationgrants@grapesfromcalifornia.com.

You don't have to settle for flimsy, unattractive, unsafe cement blocks or flammable facades. Our metal stands are strong, durable, sleek and modern. These stands are so strong, they even resist Bullish behavior.

If you haven't done STEP 1 yet, Click over to our STORE and choose which of our Systems you want to purchase. Then CLICK THIS LINK & Fill Out our Request For QUOTE FORM.

The best way to approach the Feeding America Network is to go through your local Community Food Bank, which, most likely is being supported by this organization. Find out if they have a School Garden Coordinator and then make your pitch for funding an Aquaponics System to that person.

Something BIG is happening in classrooms across America. It's called AQUAPONICS STEM Teaching & Food Growing Systems! If you're just discovering Aquaponics, we have more than enough information for you to learn what you need to know to run an efficient Aquaponics Ecosystem that will turn your Classroom into an Integrative STEM experience.

Below are the STEPS you will need to take once you decide you want to join in on this exciting Teaching Adventure.

STEP 1: Go to our Home Page and decide which of our Growing Systems you want to purchase based on your available space and Budget. Then Click over to that specific page where you'll find detailed information about that specific System.

STEP 2: Click on this Link to order Your No ObligNoion QUOTE from Aquaponics USA. You will need this Quoted Number, which includes the cost of your Aquaponics STEM Food Growing System PLUS the Shipping Cost to your location, to write your Grant. You will also need to give us the exact System you've chosen, whether or not you Need Grow Lights, your full Name, the Name of your School, your Contact Phone Number (so the Shipping Company can make a delivery appointment) and the full Shipping Address. We will send you a QUOTE with the $ Amount to Insert into your Grant Request.

STEP 3: Come back to this Grant Page and Choose the Grant or Grants that will cover your costs. When you order any of our STEM Food Growing Systems, they include all of the bundled items like the Fish, Fish Food, Fish Feeder, pH Meter, Water Measuring Devices, Fish Net, Seed Starter Kit, 3 Manuals and our new 600 Pages of Curriculum. All of your costs (except shipping) are bundled into one amount (Grow Lights, Steps and the Puppet Show Kit are Optional).

STEP 4: If none of these Grants work for you, do some Reserch.Your Grant is waiting.

STEP 5: Now, you're ready to WRITE YOUR GRANT! You can write your Grant describing your costs because you've already determined everything you need to know, and once Your Grant is funded, let us know you're ready to make your STEM Teaching & Food Growing System Purchase.

Are you feeling like you could use some information on how to write a Grant? Here's a great inspirational book that's available on Amazon that should do the trick.

If you don't have time to read an entire book, and even if you've never written a Grant before in your life, there are places where you can learn how to do it like:

GrantStation,

Grant Writing Basics For Beginners,

Writing a Successful Grant Proposal

The Writing Center  

Candid Learning

              


Need some encouragement? Pick up these Books from Amazon.

Resource Associates is different than the others because it offers professional Grant Writers to service your Grants. We're listing it here because it has a Search for Grants Button on their Home Page that could be very helpful in your search to find a Grant that will cover the costs of your proposed project.

This Search Engine keeps changing as Grants come available so check back with this site on a regular basis.

Where to Get an Aquaponics Grant and What's the Process?

The EXCEL Foundation makes location specific Grants for the Coeur d'Alene School District #271, a school district in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. District #271 serves a student population nearing 11,000 in Coeur d’Alene, Dalton Gardens, Hayden, Hayden Lake, and a portion of rural Kootenai County.

Below, that process is spelled out in 5 Easy Steps. We've also listed some Grants we've become aware of through working with Teachers who have gotten them. Grants are abundant, and there's one waiting for you.

NOTE: This Legacy Webpage is available through a Link on our "Where To Get A Grant" Page on our new streamlined site at AquaponicsUSA.net. It is connected to an entire Website to explore.


FGS-44R

We plan to ask all of our Teachers who are ordering Aquaponics STEM Teaching & Food Growing Systems where they got their Grants. Almost all of them are purchasing their Systems with Grants, so this page will get longer and longer as time passes. As you can see, it's really not a matter of not enough Grants. If anything, there are so many it can seem daunting. Focus on a few you think fit your needs and situation and GO FOR IT!


WHEN YOU'RE READY TO REQUEST YOUR QUOTE, JUST CLICK THIS LINK and we'll get it right out to you.

You can also go to the OESE for Funding. That's the Office of Elementary & Secondary Education to learn about available Grants and Types of Assistance. Also try Grants for Teachers, a Free Resource for K-12 Teachers. The Foundations Linked below are from Classroom Technology Grants.

McCarthey Dressman Teacher Development Grants

Toyota Tapestry Grants for Science Teachers

Emerging Teacher-Leaders in Elementary School Mathematics Grants

ACS-Hach High School Chemisry Grant

ING Unsung Heroes Program

NEA Foundation Student Achievement Grants

Click on the Boxes below to Check Out Grants available by these lesser known Companies and Grant Resources.

Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation,

The Cisco Foundation,

The Coca-Cola Foundation,

Computers For Learning,

Corning Foundation Grants,

E School News,  

Toyota Foundation,

The Zimmer Family Foundation,

Grants Office

Donorschoose.org

WHERE TO GET A GRANT & WHAT'S THE PROCESS FOR DEALING WITH AUSA?

  Womens Empowerment Grant

This Women's Empowerment Business Grant is awarding up to $10,000 in Funding to women who meet the Eligibility Criteria.

Click over to FinImpact to see if you qualify and Apply.

Then get your Social Media Friends, Followers and Admirers to Vote For You!

You could be One of Three Lucky Winners sharing the $17,500!

Click this Box  to Apply!

Finimpact is a Free Service that offers

Entrepreneurs and Business Owners the

quickest, smoothest and most reliable

Route to Financing.

Just because the Government Covid Grants have expired, doesn't mean there are no Government Grants out there. Here's a great place to start looking for those ubiquitous Government Grants:

Click the Link to watch a YouTube Video on How To Search for a Government Grant.

Here's another great Link to a YouTube Video on How To Apply for a Grant .

Here are some great Links to Garden Grants: Just go

over to Growing Spaces and Click on the Links you

see below in this image.

Enter Text

Visit Herb Society of America to explore their

Scholarships and Grants.

Go to HSLDA  and HomeSchool.com for Home

School Grants.

Go to School Garden Network and Click on their Funding Page

        A LANDING PAGE from a Link at  AquaponicsUSA.net

Go to the Society For Science Page for Grant Oppor-

tunities.

Most of our STEM Teaching & Food Growing Systems are pur- chased with Grants. Most Teachers are in the process of writing their Grants when they come to us, and the best information we can provide is about the process for getting their important COST numbers into their Grant Documents.

Arizona Department of Education (ADE) Grants

Description: The ADE offers various state and federal grants for teachers to access through their district. These include:

Title I Grants: Support schools with high percentages of low-income students (many AZ schools are Title I). Funds can be used for supplemental instructional resources, tutoring, or professional develop- ment.

Afterschool & 21st Century Community Learning Centers: Grants for afterschool programs to enhance academic and enrichment activities.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) Grants: Available for teachers to support vocational programs.

Gifted/Advanced Learning Grants: For programs supporting gifted students, which AZ offers.

Eligibility: Teachers apply through their District, which coordinates with ADE. Some grants require district-level applications.

Funding: Varies; Title I funds are significant for AZ due to many of the students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch.

How to Apply: Contact your District's Grant Coordinator or Administration for application processes, as grants are often district-managed. Check www.azed.gov for open opportunities.

More About National & Statewide AZ Grants

NEA Foundation Grants: The National Education Association offers grants like the Learning & Leadership Grants ($2,000-$5,000) for professional development and Student Success Grants for classroom projects. Open to public school teachers, including those in AZ.

How to Apply: Apply directly at www.neafoundation.org.

Toshiba America Foundation Grants: Provides up to $5,000 for K-12 STEM projects. AZ teachers, especially at Middle or High Schools, can apply for math and science initiatives.

How to Apply: Visit www.toshiba.com/taf or Pathway to Science.org

Arizona Community Foundation Grants: Offers education-focused grants for Arizona teachers, often for innovative classroom projects or community engagement.

How to Apply: Check www.azfoundation.org.

Now Get Writing So You Can Get Growing!

Title I Grants (Every Student Succeeds Act - ESSA)

          Description: Title I funds are allocated to schools with high percentages of low-income students to improve academic achievement. PUSD, with all six schools designated as Title I, can use these funds for administrator-led initiatives such as professional development, hiring additional staff, or implementing academic interventions.

          Use for Administrators: Funds can support training for leadership in closing achievement gaps, implementing evidence-based interventions, or improving school climate.

          Application: Managed through the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) via the Grants Management Enterprise (GME) system. Administrators should coordinate with PUSD’s business office to access these funds.

Source: Arizona Department of Education.

School Improvement Grants (SIG)

          Description: Competitive grants aimed at low-performing schools to improve student outcomes. Schools identified as having low-performing subgroups (e.g., bottom 5% in performance) are eligible. PUSD’s test scores (26% math proficiency, 36% reading proficiency) suggest potential eligibility for some schools.

          Use for Administrators: Funds can be used for professional development, hiring instructional coaches, or implementing school-wide improvement plans aligned with ESSA requirements.

          Application: Apply through ADE’s competitive grant process, ensuring alignment with integrated action plans.

Source: Arizona Department of Education.

PreschoolDevelopment Grant (PDG)

          Description: Supports early childhood education, including preschool expansion, which PUSD has pursued. Administrators can use these funds to enhance preschool programs or train staff in early childhood education.

          Use for Administrators: Leadership training in early childhood education or managing expanded preschool programs.

          Application: Reimbursement-based grant managed through ADE’s GME system. Requires submission via the EMAC platform in ADEConnect.

Source: Arizona Department of Education.

21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC)

          Description: Funds afterschool and summer programs to enhance academic achievement and social-emotional learning (SEL). Some AZ School Districts have implemented SEL supports and summer school sessions, indicating potential use of such grants.

          Use for Administrators: Support for managing afterschool programs, training staff in SEL, or developing community partnerships.

          Application: Competitive grant through ADE. Administrators should collaborate with program coordinators to apply.

Source: Arizona Department of Education.

Professional Development and Leadership Grants

Effective Teachers and Leaders (Title II, Part A)

          Description: Provides funding for professional development to improve teacher and administrator effectiveness. ADE offers trainings under this program for leadership development.

          Use for Administrators: Attend leadership workshops, implement mentoring programs, or develop data-driven decision-making skills.

          Application: Accessed through PUSD’s allocation of federal funds, managed via ADE’s GME system.

Source: Arizona Department of Education.

Educator Recruitment and Retention Grants

          Description: Supports initiatives to recruit and retain high-quality educators, including administrators. ADE offers grants for professional development and retention strategies.

          Use for Administrators: Develop leadership pipelines, attend recruitment training, or implement retention programs for administrative staff.

          Application: Check ADE’s Educator Recruitment and Retention program for current opportunities.

Source: Arizona Department of Education.

DonorsChoose

          Description: A crowdfunding platform where PUSD teachers and administrators have successfully funded 261 projects. While primarily teacher-driven, administrators can initiate district-wide or school-specific projects.

          Use for Administrators: Fund professional development resources, technology for administrative tasks, or school-wide initiatives (e.g., SEL programs).

          Application: Create a project on DonorsChoose.org, specifying administrative needs.

Source: DonorsChoose.

APS Foundation’s Supply My School Grant

          Purpose: Provides funding for classroom and school supplies, especially for Title I schools.

Amount: $5,000 per school.               Eligibility: Principals at Title I schools in Arizona served by APS.

          Use: Supplies like PPE, cleaning materials, books for at-home libraries, or student engagement incentives (e.g., attendance rewards).

Example: Garfield Elementary in Phoenix used it for a mobile pantry and student incentives.

SRP Powering Our Future Classroom Grant

          Purpose: Funds STEM-related supplies and projects.

Amount: Up to $5,000.

          Eligibility: Principals or teachers at K-12 schools in SRP’s service a

          Use: Technology, lab equipment, or materials for hands-on STEM learning (e.g., robotics kits, science lab supplies).

          Application: Requires a detailed proposal outlining educational impact.


Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers

          Purpose: Fulfills teacher and school “wish lists” for supplies or resources.

Amount: Varies, often $2,500-$5,000 per recipient.

          Eligibility: Principals or teachers in Arizona schools.

          Use: Classroom supplies, books, technology, or furniture (e.g., flexible seating).

Example: Teachers at schools like Cactus View Elementary have received funds for sensory tools and reading materials, with principals often submitting on behalf of staff.


Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Charities Grant

          Purpose: Funds innovative educational projects, including supplies.

Amount: Up to $5,000.

          Eligibility: Arizona K-12 schools, often applied for by principals or leadership teams.

          Use: Technology, classroom materials, or community-focused projects (e.g., garden supplies for hands-on learning).

And our Final Four Resources are State specific Grants for Maine, Colorado, California and Idaho. We hope this "Where To Get A Grant" Page has been helpful. We'll be offering more extensive Grant Resources like the ones above for Arizona in the future for more States.

Have faith! There's the perfect Grant waiting for you.

See the great Grant Writing Books we recommend below. As a Teacher, you fully understand how helpful "How To" Books can be. You can get your Grant Written and be ready to run your STEM Teaching & Food Growing System by early in the new School Year.  

TEACHERS, in every State need to know about Donors Choose.

It's a Tax Deductible Crowd Sourcing Site just for Teachers, and it's

amazing because it "Connects the Public to Public Schools" and

helps Parents and the Community get involved with their local

Schools. Their mission: "We make it easy to anyone to help a

teacher in need, moving us closer to a nation where students in

every community have the tools and experiences they need for a

great educaiton."

Aquaponics isn't simply Gardening. What you're really Teaching is AGRICULTURE that is:

WATER CONSERVING, MULTI-CROP FARMING

(See our Website or the Flyer enclosed in your Mailing for more Info). Or Request the Mailing.

Agricultural Education Grant Program (ADE) Description: Established under HB2611, this program provides grants to school districts to support personnel costs for extended-hour activities advancing agricultural education, such as FFA advising or program development. Grants cover up to 400 hours per full-time certificated teacher.

Funding: $1,198,585 appropriated for fiscal year 2024-2025, plus $56,000 for a recordkeeping system.

Eligibility: School districts employing certified teachers engaged in agricultural education. Applications require compliance with recordkeeping and reporting rules.

Application: Contact the Arizona Department of Education for application details and deadlines.

Arizona Farm Bureau Classroom Cooking Grants Description: Offers 20 grants to help teachers integrate specialty crops into classroom activities, such as cooking lessons, to promote agricultural literacy.

Funding: Not specified, but grants support materials and activities related to specialty crops.

Eligibility: Arizona teachers (K-12) interested in incorporating specialty crop education.

Application: Apply through the Arizona Farm Bureau website (www.azfb.org). Check for annual deadlines.

Arizona Agricultural Edu/FFA Foundation Grants

Description: Provides funding to support agricultural education programs, including teacher professional development, new teacher development, and conferences. In 2024, the Arizona Agriculture Teachers Association received $72,885 for these purposes.

Funding: Varies; grants range from $66,500 to $72,885 for specific programs.

Eligibility: Agriculture teachers and programs affiliated with the Arizona Agriculture Teachers Association or University of Arizona’s Agricultural Education Department.

Application: Contact the Arizona Agricultural Education/FFA Foundation (www.azffafoundation.org)  for application details.

USDA Farm to School Grant Program  

Description: Supports farm-to-school programs, including educational agriculture and gardening activities. Grants fund training, equipment, school gardens, and partnerships.

Funding: Varies; competitive grants awarded annually.

Eligibility: Schools, school districts, and nonprofit organizations in Arizona involved in farm-to-school activities.

Application: Apply through the USDA’s Farm to School program (www.farmtoschool.org). Check for annual deadlines, typically in spring.

White-Reinhardt Resource Grants (American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture)

Description: Provides funds for educators to purchase agricultural literacy materials from the AFBFA store for classroom use, including projects like gardens or literacy programs.

Funding: $100–$500 per grant.

Eligibility: K-12 educators, including agriculture teachers, replicating projects from the Kids In Need Foundation’s Winning Projects Guide.

Application: Apply via the Seed Your Future website (www.seedyourfuture.org). Deadlines vary annually.

Corteva Agriscience Excellence in Agricultural Education Award

Description: Awards K-12 science teachers incorporating innovative agricultural science activities into their curriculum, which can include agriculture teachers.

Funding: $2,500 for the classroom/program, $1,000 for travel to the NSTA national conference, plus mentoring and resources from Corteva.

Eligibility: K-12 science or agriculture teachers with innovative agricultural education projects.

Application: Apply through the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) website. Deadlines typically align with NSTA conference schedules.

SRP Classroom Grants

Description: Salt River Project (SRP) offers grants for innovative teaching strategies in math, science, and social sciences, which can include agricultural education projects.

Funding: Up to $5,000 per school for math/science; up to $2,500 for history/social science.

Eligibility: Certified K-12 teachers in SRP’s service territory (Phoenix metro, Pinal, Gila, Yavapai counties, Page, St. Johns, NGS communities). For math/science grants, teachers must complete an SRP Powering Our Future workshop.

Application: Apply from October 1, 2024, to February 28, 2025, (Check if this Grant has renewed) @ ssrpnet.com.(https://www.srpnet.com/about/community-support/educator-support/scholarships-grants)

National Agriculture in the Classroom Grants

Description: Supports Pre-K-12 teachers integrating agricultural concepts into core subjects (e.g., reading, math, science) through projects like gardens, embryology, or literacy programs.

Funding: Up to $500 per project.

Eligibility: Pre-K-12 teachers, including agriculture teachers, with projects enhancing agricultural literacy.

Application: Check the National Agriculture in the Classroom website (www.agclassroom.org) for deadlines and applications, typically annual.

Big Green Jumpstart Grants

Description: Provides schools with garden beds, seeds, soil, irrigation, and grants for educational gardening programs, which agriculture teachers can use to enhance hands-on learning.

Funding: Varies; includes materials and financial support.

Eligibility: Schools with agriculture teachers or programs focused on garden-based education.

Application: Apply via Big Green’s website (www.biggreen.org). Deadlines vary.

General Teacher Grants: Platforms like GrantWatch (arizona.grantwatch.com) and The Grant Portal (arizona.thegrantportal.com) list grants for teachers, some applicable to agriculture education, such as classroom supplies or STEM initiatives. Subscriptions may be required for full access.

Professional Development: Programs like the USDA’s Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC) offer workshops and field trips for teachers, which may include funding or stipends (research.arizona.edu).

NOTE: If a Link does not take you directly to the Grant Information, just go to the Website's Search Box and type in Grants.

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Are you ready to bring an Ecosystem into your Classroom or Greenhouse? This Aquaponics STEM Teaching & Food Growing System started in the Music Room of Manzo Elementary School in Tucson, Arizona. It, too, was purchased from a Grant that was made available from the Southern Arizona Community Food Bank via Feeding America. Later, this Greenhouse was built and the Aquaponics STEM System was moved into it. Aquaponics STEM Teaching & Food Growing Systems work to bring education to life for many disciplines including Ecology, Mathematics, Botany, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Nutrition, Aquaculture and Culinary Art Classes. This is the original version of a four Grow Bed (44 Sq. Ft. System) with a 320 Gallon Fish Tank we call the FGS-44R.