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District wins federal and STEM grants to build three middle‑school greenhouses
Summary
The board heard that two grants — a USDA Farm to School award and a STEM BEST subaward — will fund three greenhouses at the district’s middle schools, a roughly $700,000, two‑year project that includes curriculum integration, partnerships with local agricultural groups and a fellowship to place beginner farmers in schools.
The Iowa City Community School District has secured federal and STEM funding to build three greenhouses at its middle schools, district staff told the board on May 12.
Director Gwenigale said the district received a Patrick Leahy Farm to School grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and a STEM BEST award; together the awards and required matches will fund greenhouse construction, curriculum development and personnel supports. The presenter described the total project value as “close to $700,000,” with construction and implementation split over two years and an expected build in spring 2027 and curriculum implementation in fall 2027.
The project will partner with the Johnson County Poor Farm and the Iowa Valley Resource Conservation and Development team. As part of the grant there will be a subaward to hire roughly 10 beginner farmers who will help supply produce to school cafeterias and work with students. Director Gwenigale told the board the plan embeds greenhouse activities into CTE (career and technical education), food and nutrition, AP environmental science and other classes, and includes hands‑on opportunities for middle and high school students to design and build planting infrastructure.
Board members welcomed the award, with several noting the grants are fully or largely funded and that the district match will be primarily in‑kind personnel time and a STEM BEST capital match. Director Gwenigale said the district will hold an onboarding meeting with the USDA on May 14 and expects to return with additional implementation details.
