Office of Educational Services & Support

Mini-grants awarded to promote nutrition and physical activity

South Dakota schools, child care programs, and outside school time programs are growing gardens, putting on fun fruit and vegetable events and hiring registered dietitians with mini-grant funding. Nearly $52,000 is being awarded for 69 mini-grant projects to 49 agencies from funding from two different programs within the South Dakota Department of Education. South Dakota State University is providing technical support for gardening mini-grants and will evaluate the project.

21st Century Learning Center Funds is providing funding for 17 of the mini-grants. The remainder of the grantees will receive their funding from USDA Team Nutrition funds through Child and Adult Nutrition Services.

The mini-grants are intended to help agencies help children and teenagers make better choices for a lifetime of health. Approximately 1/3 of all children in South Dakota and in the nation are overweight or obese.

Gardening is a great way to get students interested in fruits and vegetables and eating more fruits and vegetables is a proven strategy in preventing obesity. There is the added benefit of physical activity while working in the garden.

Fun events will introduce students to fun facts about fruits and vegetables, teach students about the benefits of fruits and vegetables, provide tasting opportunities, and provide an opportunity for learning through games and other activities.

Registered dietitians will help schools with menu planning, provide education for school staff, parents, and students, assist with curriculum, help schools improve the nutrition environment throughout the school, apply for the HealthierUS School Challenge, work with special diets, and help motivate students to eat healthier.

2008 Mini-grant Award Winners

Fun Fruit and Vegetable Grants:

• Baltic School District FCCLA
• Bethesda Sharing Center
• Black Hills Workshop and Training Center
• Colman-Egan School District
• Corsica School District
• Ellsworth AFB School Age Program
• Enemy Swim Day School
• Eureka School District
• Flandreau School District
• Frederick Area School District
• Friends Forever Childcare
• FunShine Daycare and Preschool Center
• Gayville-Volin School District
• Grant-Deuel School District
• Groton Area School District
• Groton Area School District---Elementary School
• Huron School District
• Hyde School District
• Jones County School District--21st Century Learning Center
• Kimball School District
• Loneman School Corporation
• M & M Day Care
• Madison Central School District--High School
• Newell School District
• Rapid City Area School District--South Canyon Elementary
• Roncalli Sonshine Patch
• Sacred Heart School
• Sanborn Central School District
• SD School for the Deaf
• Sioux Falls Catholic Schools--Christ the King School
• Sioux Falls School District---Hawthorne School District
• Sioux YMCA
• Sitting Bull School
• Spearfish School District--Middle School
• St. Thomas Aquinas Elementary School
• Youth and Family Services
• YWCA Kid's Klub, Mitchell

Gardening Grants

• Alcester-Hudson School District Agricultural Department
• Bethesda Sharing Center
• Children's Care Hospital and School
• Children's Home Society of SD
• Custer YMCA Child Development Center
• Ellsworth AFB School Age Program
• Friends Forever Childcare
• FunShine Daycare and Preschool Center
• Gayville-Volin School District
• Grant-Deuel School District
• Sioux Falls Catholic Schools--Holy Spirit School Stretch Program
• Kimball School District--21st Century Learning Center
• Loneman School Corporation
• Lutheran Social Services of SD, New Beginnings Center
• M & M Day Care Center
• Madison School District--High School
• SD School for the Deaf
• Sitting Bull School
• Volunteers of America, Dakotas

RD Mini-grants

• Brookings School District
• Chester Area School District
• Children's Home Society of SD--Loving School
• Enemy Swim Day School
• Frederick Area School District
• Gayville-Volin School District
• Loneman School Corporation
• Newell School District
• Sioux Falls School District
• Sitting Bull School
• Tiospa Zina Tribal School
• Webster School District
• West Central School District