North Dakota Awards Hydroponic Grants to School-Based Growing Programs
January 21, 2026 
Three young students standing in greenhouse holding potted plants whileparticipating in gardening activity together. | Dragon Images via Adobe Stock
Fifty-five schools across North Dakota are receiving state-supported grants to install hydroponic garden systems, expanding student exposure to CEA and local food production, as reported by KX News in Bismarck, ND.
The grants are administered by the North Dakota Department of Agriculture through its Farm to School hydroponics garden program. Funded schools will install indoor hydroponic systems that allow students to grow produce without soil, using nutrient-rich water solutions that support faster growth and year-round production.
State officials say the systems are designed for repeated, long-term use, enabling schools to integrate hydroponics into science, nutrition, and agriculture curricula over multiple years. The program is expected to reach nearly 5,000 K–12 students statewide.
Promoting Locally Grown Produce
“Produce grown through these gardens supports nutrition education and increases student exposure to local foods,” said Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring in a release. He added that the hands-on approach helps students build skills related to plant science, food systems, and nutrition.
Funding for the initiative comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture through its Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program, which supports agriculture education and local food system development nationwide.
