Salamanca, NY — The Salamanca City Central School District has been awarded $50,000 from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets through Round 3 of the Urban Farms and Community Gardens Grant Program. The district is one of 51 awardees statewide receiving support to enhance local food production, improve access to fresh foods, and strengthen agricultural education.
The State Agriculture Department awarded a total of $2.5 million to urban farms, school districts, nonprofits, and community organizations across New York. This funding—supported by the Fiscal Year 2025 and 2026 Enacted Budgets—reflects the state’s emphasis on improving food affordability and resiliency, particularly as federal nutrition programs face instability.
Statewide Initiative to Strengthen Food Security
New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball highlighted the ongoing success of the program:
“The Urban Farms and Community Gardens program continues to grow year over year, demonstrating the significance of these growing spaces that are integral to a strong, reliable food supply. These projects span across the entirety of our state, helping to meet the needs of our communities, which is more important now than ever before. I congratulate all the awardees and applaud their vision for expanded growing spaces and enhanced educational programming.”
The grant program helps organizations expand gardens, build infrastructure, purchase equipment, and offer educational programs focused on local food systems, food safety, and distribution.
Three Goals for Growth in Salamanca
According to Sandi Brundage, Grants Administrator, the Salamanca project is built around three priority goals:
“The Urban Farm and Community Garden grant award, funded by NYS Ag and Markets, has three priority goals. The first is to start a Future Farmers of America program at the Salamanca City Central School District, through our partnerships with Cornell Cooperative Extension. The second project goal is to expand our knowledge and ability to grow foods in our existing school garden. The third goal is to increase the existing garden space to include more soil, organic fertilizer, and incorporate our food scrap recycling/composting already in progress into the garden.”
These goals build on the district’s ongoing efforts to weave agricultural learning into the student experience and expand hands-on, inquiry-based opportunities.
Growing Community Partnerships and Student Learning
The district’s garden program has seen steady expansion in recent years thanks to partnerships with Cornell Cooperative Extension and Gakwi:yo:h Farms. These collaborations provide students with access to agricultural expertise, cultural knowledge, and sustainable farming practices.
Karen Magara, Assistant Superintendent for Finance & Operations, noted the momentum behind the district’s work:
“It’s exciting to see our school garden and program continue to grow. Thanks to our partnerships with Cornell Cooperative Extension and Gakwi:yo:h Farms, we’ve been able to accomplish much more in this area. Each year, we aim to expand the garden, diversify what we plant, and find new ways to utilize our harvest. We also started a composting initiative, and the compost we’ve produced so far (including our recently smashed pumpkins) is now enriching our garden beds, helping to improve the soil for next year’s planting season.”
A Regional Leader in Agricultural Education
Salamanca City Central School District joins several Western New York organizations—such as Providence Farm Collective, Grassroots Gardens of WNY, and Pelion Outdoor Classroom—in receiving support to expand community growing spaces.
The district’s initiative will:
Launch a Future Farmers of America (FFA) program
Expand and diversify its school garden
Increase growing capacity with new soil and organic fertilizers
Strengthen its composting and food scrap recycling efforts
Provide students with hands-on agricultural learning and career exploration
Continuing New York’s Commitment to Food Access
New York State is home to more than 3,000 urban and community gardens, and this grant program complements statewide efforts such as Nourish New York, Farm-to-School, the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Programs, the Community Gardens Leadership Certificate Program, and the New York State Soil Testing Program.
With this latest round of funding, Salamanca City Central School District is poised to deepen its commitment to agricultural education, sustainability, and community food resiliency—ensuring students gain valuable skills while contributing to a healthier local food system.