Suffolk County Soil and Water Conservation District announces Agriculture in the Classroom

Suffolk County Soil and Water Conservation District is pleased to announce the 2026 Agriculture in the Classroom recipients. $100,000 will fund projects that will develop and expand agricultural education in six K-12 public schools across Suffolk County.

Following a request for proposals issued earlier this year, K-12 schools in Suffolk County were invited to submit applications for projects that will enhance the awareness of local agricultural production and strengthen the connection of students with fresh, local food. After a competitive review of the 58 applications received, six schools were selected to receive funding for their agricultural projects:

• $50,000 – Brentwood Freshman Campus. Through the Urban Farms and Community Gardens Grant. The project, “Campus Fresh: Cultivating the Next Generation,” entails converting an  underutilized warehouse into a farm-to-table lab. Funds will be applied to an aquaponics system and a hydroponics unit for leafy greens. The “Campus Fresh” project will provide students with skills for the agricultural industry. Produce will also be used to supplement meals at the school.
• $19,344 – Cold Spring Harbor Jr. Sr. High School. Award will fund equipment for projects with agricultural robotics. Students will assess traditional soil-based versus hydroponic production systems.
• $5,320 – Half Hollow Hills High School East. Funds will contribute to supplies for experimental research in plant tissue cultures.
• $12,200 – North Babylon High School. Project will improve their garden’s irrigation system.
• $3,637 - Babylon Jr/Sr High School. “Crocus with the Mostus,” a project to create space for the school’s STEAM: Sustainable Agriculture class. The school will be adding a pollinator garden and raised garden beds, to grow a variety of crops including crocus for saffron, lettuce, and potatoes.
• $9,500 – Oregon Middle School. The project will add an outdoor classroom space and a native pollinator garden. Students at environmental clubs will be involved with the Patchogue-
• Medford’s Seed Lending library, to help educate the community about seed harvesting. Including this year’s funding, the Agriculture in the Classroom program has applied a total of $398,142.35 towards K-12 school projects since 2017. K-12 public schools in Suffolk County are encouraged to keep an eye out for future grant proposal requests.