Providers Choice is excited to launch the Tiny Green Thumbs Edible Garden Program, a garden-based nutrition and agriculture education opportunity for child care centers apart of their Food Program (CACFP) partners. Selected child care centers will establish, expand, and sustain an on-site edible garden to engage children in hands-on nutrition and agriculture education starting with a spring 2027 installation and continuing through 2031.
This program is led by Providers Choice in partnership with the UMN Extension Master Gardener Program, the MN State Horticultural Society Garden-in-a-Box Program, and Northfield Montessori, and is made possible through funding from the USDA Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program and the Cargill Foundation.
Selected centers will receive:
- A $2,000 stipend for garden boxes, supplies (soil, seeds/seedlings, tools, etc.), and/or staff time compensation
- Developmentally-approved training on gardening with young children for all center staff
- A gardening & nutrition curriculum with ready-to-use activities and lesson plans
- Ongoing technical assistance and support from Providers Choice
- Standardized CACFP recipes for cooking with garden produce
- Connections to local farmers
- Support from Master Gardener volunteers and other community partners
- Up to $400 toward local apple purchases for Minnesota Great Apple Crunch Event(s)
What's expected of participating centers?
- Take part in all program orientation, training, technical assistance, evaluation, reporting, and communication activities with Providers Choice
- Establish or expand an on-site edible garden, coordinate volunteers for a spring 2027 installation, and sustain the garden through 2031
- Weave garden-based learning and nutrition education into weekly classroom activities throughout the growing season using Providers Choice curriculum and resources
- Harvest and use garden produce in taste tests, educational activities, and CACFP meals/snacks whenever possible, and take part in the Minnesota Great Apple Crunch in October 2027 and/or 2028
- Share program photos and success stories (with appropriate photo releases for identifiable children)
Who can apply?
Any child care center that:
- Participates in CACFP with Providers Choice
- Has the capacity to implement an edible garden program
- Has sufficient outdoor space for an on-site garden
- Is committed to integrating gardening into children's learning experiences
- Is willing to maintain the garden long-term
No prior gardening experience is needed as training and technical assistance are built into the program. Providers Choice anticipates selecting approximately 15–20 child care centers from across Minnesota.
How to apply:
- Read the Tiny Green Thumbs Overview & FAQ in its entirety
- Complete the Tiny Green Thumbs Application by Monday, September 14, 2026
This is a wonderful opportunity to offer engaging, hands-on learning experiences that support healthy eating habits for children.
Questions? Email MOLLY TURNQUIST BUTALA, Nutrition Manager or call 952-944-7010.
This is a wonderful opportunity to offer engaging, hands-on learning experiences that support healthy eating habits for the children in your care.
