Pilot Light

Pilot Light is a non-profit organization that appears to focus on providing agricultural and food education programs, particularly in schools and through child nutrition initiatives. Their work involves farm to school programs, teacher professional development, and student advocacy activities related to food, gardens, and nutrition.

Over the past few years, Pilot Light has received several significant federal grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to support their efforts. In 2023, they were awarded a $199,245 Farm to School Grant from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service to implement farm to school programs that improve access to local foods in USDA Child Nutrition Programs over a 2-year period. Additionally, in 2022, they received a $169,878 Project Grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture under the Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program. This grant funded Pilot Light's work in disseminating research-based agricultural education through teacher training and student advocacy activities, with a focus on increasing capacity for food, garden, and nutrition education in schools and cafeterias. Pilot Light also received a $42,627 Farm to School Grant from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service in 2021 for a 1-year project. Their grant work aligns with the goals of the Farm to School and Food and Agriculture Service Learning Programs, which aim to connect local farms with schools and provide agricultural education.