Educator Mini Grant 

The Delaware SWCD  Educator Mini Grant opportunity is designed to support schools and education programs from disciplines demonstrating interests in conservation education, and is available to those interested educational institutions in Delaware County, Ohio.

Our Educator Mini Grant program offers educators the chance to apply for one of several conservation education tools to be used in their classrooms or implemented at their schools. The application deadline is June 13, 2025. All awards will be presented prior to September 1, 2025. The number of awards given will be subject to funding availability. Applications can be emailed to efisher@co.delaware.oh.us, or mailed/dropped off to 1610 State Route 521, PO Box 8006, Delaware, OH 43015.

Only one application per education establishment will be accepted. Grant applications will be reviewed by Delaware SWCD staff with final approval of the Delaware SWCD Board of Supervisors. This is a competitive grant where the requested item will be purchased for and donated to the applicant. We regret that not all applicants may receive their requested project. If you are interested in an item not listed here, include your desired item on your application and describe how it promotes conservation, and we will consider your request. Requests are subject to staff approval.

Project Options:

Rain Barrel

Receive up to two EarthMinded brand, 45-50 gallon Rain Barrel kits for your education program. Rain barrels collect and store rainwater from rooftops that would otherwise be lost to runoff. They provide a high-quality source of water for gardening and other non-potable uses while decreasing the impact of runoff. This is a great option if you have a school garden.

Workshop Fees: Project WET, WILD, and Learning Tree
Delaware SWCD will pay the cost of your fees for up to three educator workshops, including Project Learning Tree, Project WET, and Project WILD. You are welcome to attend a workshop across the state that fits your schedule, or we may host one of these workshops at our office. Stay tuned for updates to our workshop schedule, and check out their websites for statewide trainings.

Native Wildflower Seed Mix

Receive up to 1 acre’s-worth of Ohio Blend native wildflower seeds for your outdoor classroom. The seed mix we provide is a mix of wildflowers that are native to and formulated specifically for Ohio. Plant at a rate of 5-10 pounds per acre or 4 ounces per 1,000 sq. ft. Seeds should be planted in an area that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight and planted in the spring or fall season. Once established, your pollinator plot is a great opportunity for students to observe and study pollinators.

Seed Packets

Receive fast-growing wildflower seeds for your lifecycle unit. Students can plant seeds in the classroom or outdoors, observe them as they grow, and take them home to plant in their yard. This is a good option for teachers who wish to have each student plant individual seeds, instead of the bulk Ohio seed mix that’s intended for establishing pollinator plots. We will also provide soil and seed starting cups.

Bug Collection Kit

Use this kit to teach about insect lifecycles and adaptations. We encourage you to take your students outside to look for ladybugs, butterflies, and other non-stinging insects to catch, observe, and release. Help students understand the importance of these little critters in food webs, as well as the role they play in pollinating our food sources.

Outdoor Compost Bin

Receive one Redmon brand, 65-gallon outdoor compost bin for your school garden. Teach students the importance of reducing food waste, and turning trash into treasure by “recycling” food scraps that will turn into a natural fertilizer.

Tiered Indoor Worm Compost Bin

Receive a tiered, indoor worm composting bin for use in your classroom. Don’t have a school garden? No problem. This is the perfect solution for teaching your students about reducing food waste, soil conservation and and soil properties, all from inside your classroom.

Fall Soil Tests

Delaware SWCD will pay for the cost of up to four soil test samples for your school garden. Soil testing is important before starting a garden or pollinator plot, so you can make sure it has the proper nutrients to help your plants prosper. We recommend testing in the Fall.

 

2025 Mini Grant Application – Return completed applications to Erin Fisher via email at efisher@co.delaware.oh.us