Community Gardens in Herkimer County Receive $2,000 Sub-Awards from Cornell Cooperative Extension Herkimer County

Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Herkimer County is proud to announce the awarding of seven $2,000 sub-awards to community and aspiring community gardens across Herkimer County. Funding is provided through the New York State Urban Farm and Community Garden Grant Program, supporting efforts to strengthen local food systems and expand access to fresh, locally grown produce.

The selected gardens applied to become official Veggie Van Host Sites for the 2026 growing season as part of the From the Ground Up program. Through this opportunity, community gardens will collaborate closely with CCE Herkimer County educators and Master Gardener volunteers to plan and implement educational programming from late June through October.

As part of receiving the $2,000 award, participating community gardens agree to serve as active From the Ground Up partner sites.

In addition to expanding their growing capacity, community gardens will host coordinated educational activities that run alongside the Veggie Van program (two complementary, but separate initiatives). Together, the programs create a seamless farm-to-table learning experience for community members.

Participants will be able to visit local community gardens to see how fruits and vegetables are grown, follow the produce’s journey to the Veggie Van to observe how farmers sell their products, and attend cooking demonstrations that showcase simple, healthy ways to prepare seasonal ingredients.

The sub-award funding may be used to purchase seeds and seedlings, soil, compost, raised bed materials, tools, irrigation supplies, and other infrastructure needed to grow and distribute food effectively.

The following gardens have been selected to receive $2,000 awards:

• Frankfort Community Garden
• Herkimer Community Garden
• Ilion Community Garden
• Salvation Army in Herkimer Community Garden
• Little Falls Co-op Community Garden
• Mohawk Community Garden
• Old Forge Community Garden

These awards will help expand growing capacity, improve infrastructure, and enhance food access efforts throughout the county. By investing directly in local gardens, CCE Herkimer County continues to support solutions that increase access to fresh, locally grown food and strengthen community connections.

The Cornell Cooperative Extension educational system enables people to improve their lives and communities through partnerships that put experience and research knowledge to work.  To learn more about CCE Herkimer County’s From the Ground Up, see https://bit.ly/fgu.