2013 Straw Bale Garden Grant Available

With a Straw Bale Garden, as the bales breakdown, they continue to feed the plants. When the breakdown reaches its full potential, you have potting medium for the next season's bale garden. It is a great way to recycle and compost while growing.
 
This project is a quick and easy way for a school or youth facility to have a raised bed garden with less expense and no building. If your organization is not sure whether they want to commit to gardening, this is a one growing season project that will help you decide if you would like to do something more permanent. This is also a great project for areas with limited space for gardening.

The Montgomery County Penn State Master Gardeners would like to encourage youth to try growing a Straw Bale Garden and there are five Straw Bale Garden grants of $50 each to give to organizations working with youth. These funds will help you purchase four straw bales, potting medium and plants to grow in the bales.

A variety of annual seeds and some vegetable plants to use in the bales will also be available. Adult educators from the winning organizations will also be trained in how to create and grow with straw bales. 

The grant applications are due by February 20th, 2013.