WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation (IALF) is making mini-grants available to support the integration of agriculture into classroom instruction or after school programs with an academic focus.
“One of the coolest things for them was learning where their food comes from,” said 2017 grant recipient Megan Bennigsdorf from Newell-Fonda Schools.
The Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher Supplement Grants, made possible through support from the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, are designed to help Iowa teachers initiate new projects or expand existing projects that promote agriculture literacy in students. Teachers can apply for $200 grants that can be used to fund innovative lessons, activities, classroom resources, guest speakers, outreach programs, field trips, and other projects. Up to 175 grants will be awarded to teachers throughout Iowa.
One of last year’s grant recipients, Tara Powers from Moravia, IA said, “Our live animal science lab was a huge success! Students who do not come from an agricultural background were able to have hands on experiences. Students worked to provide all the care for the animals.”
Preschool through 12th grade teachers, librarians, and after school program coordinators at Iowa schools are eligible to apply. Grants must relate to social studies or language arts and integrate agriculture into the learning.
“Agriculture in the Classroom and agriculture literacy has been an area of emphasis for the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation for many years,” said IFBF Director of Community Resources Barb Lykins. “We see this as a value to teachers allowing them to connect what they are doing to Iowa’s number one industry.”
The deadline for application is January 10, 2018 and the proposed project must take place between January 15 and June 5, 2018. To apply online or for more information visit www.iowaagliteracy.org.
— Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation
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