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Union Today
By the People, for the People
Union County Announces 2026 Plant a Seed Program Grant Applications
Grants help schools and community partners grow gardens and plant trees for interactive learning experiences.
Mar. 18, 2026 at 10:51am
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The Union County Board of County Commissioners has announced the return of the Plant A Seed Program Grants for the 2026 year. Through funding from the Union County Open Space, Recreation & Historic Preservation Trust Fund, these grants help schools and community partners grow existing gardens or establish new ones, providing interactive learning experiences focused on agriculture, sustainability, and healthy food.
Why it matters
Programs like Plant A Seed show how small investments can make a meaningful difference in schools and communities by giving residents of all ages the chance to connect with nature, learn where their food comes from, and build habits that support healthier communities.
The details
The 2026 grant opportunities include the Kids Dig In! School Garden Grant, available to K-12 schools to create or expand school gardens, and the Fruitful Futures Tree Grant, available to K-12 schools, nonprofits, and municipal entities to receive a fruit tree to be planted on-site. The grants are awarded based on need, scope, population served, and readiness to proceed.
- Applications will be accepted through April 10, 2026.
The players
Union County Board of County Commissioners
The governing body of Union County, New Jersey that is announcing the return of the Plant A Seed Program Grants.
Union County Open Space, Recreation & Historic Preservation Trust Fund
The funding source for the Plant A Seed Program Grants that support projects to strengthen communities while protecting and enhancing natural resources.
Joseph C. Bodek
The Union County Commissioner Chairman.
Alexander Mirabella
The Union County Commissioner and Chairman of the Open Space, Recreation & Historic Preservation Trust Fund.
Angelica Cedeno
The contact person for additional details or questions about the grants.
What they’re saying
“Programs like Plant A Seed show how small investments can make a meaningful difference in our schools and communities.”
— Joseph C. Bodek, Union County Commissioner Chairman
“The Open Space Trust Fund was created to support projects that strengthen our communities while protecting and enhancing our natural resources. These grants help create spaces where students and community members can learn about conservation and sustainability, ensuring that these lessons take root in our schools and neighborhoods for years to come.”
— Alexander Mirabella, Union County Commissioner and Chairman of the Open Space, Recreation & Historic Preservation Trust Fund
What’s next
To learn more and apply for a grant, interested schools and organizations can visit www.ucnj.org/plantaseed.
The takeaway
The Plant A Seed Program Grants demonstrate how Union County is investing in community-based initiatives that promote environmental education, sustainable food sources, and healthy habits for residents of all ages.
