Instructional School Gardens Program: reestablishment: Department of Food and Agriculture.

Senator Pérez's legislation transfers California's Instructional School Gardens Program from the Department of Education to the Department of Food and Agriculture, establishing new administrative structures and funding mechanisms for school garden initiatives. The Department of Food and Agriculture must develop a competitive grant process by July 1, 2026, enabling local educational agencies and experienced outdoor learning organizations to create or enhance garden-based educational programs.

The bill creates a multi-agency working group comprising representatives from the Departments of Education, Food and Agriculture, Resources Recycling and Recovery, Forestry and Fire Protection, and community organizations to guide implementation. This group will advise on program development, identify resources, and facilitate public-private partnerships. The legislation establishes the Instructional School Gardens and Maintenance Fund in the State Treasury, with disbursement contingent upon legislative appropriation or sufficient private funding.

Grant recipients must designate projects as either "operational" for existing programs or "in-development" for sites requiring infrastructure improvements. Applications must detail plans for standards-aligned curricula, experiential learning opportunities, and integration with school planning documents. The Department will allocate funding based on factors including the number of lessons offered, participating classrooms, and necessary operational activities. Local educational agencies must submit annual reports documenting program implementation and usage of funds to maintain eligibility for continued support.