WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation (IALF) has awarded 111 grants to schools throughout Iowa to support the integration of agriculture into classroom instruction or after-school programs with an academic focus.
The Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher Supplement Grants are designed to help teachers initiate new projects or expand existing projects that promote agricultural literacy in students. Grants can be used to fund innovative lessons, activities, classroom resources, guest speakers, outreach programs, educational trips, and other projects.
“I cannot begin to thank IALF enough for this opportunity to bring agriculture into my classroom. The students will learn so much” says Cassandra Cate. Teachers will use these funds for field trips to dairy farms, hatcheries, and ag history tours. Many recipients also plan to conduct projects related to aquaponics, water quality and farm to fork education. These agricultural experiences will also support language arts, social studies and a variety of other concepts already taught in their classrooms.
“We had very high-quality applications this year involving agriculture in core curriculum in innovative and creative ways,” said IALF Interim Executive Director Barb Lykins. “These projects will allow teachers to make learning real and relevant for their students and still align to state educational standards.”
The grants are a special project of IALF and made possible through support from the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.
“The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) is proud to provide financial assistance to support teachers in their classrooms,” said Ronnette Vondrak, IFBF community resources manager. “Agricultural literacy is critical in further expanding knowledge and an understanding on the value and impact of Iowa agriculture.”
The projects will be completed before the end of the school year with final reports submitted by June 6, 2022. For more information, visit www.iowaagliteracy.org. The following are award recipients (in alphabetical order by city name):
- Rebekah Spragg, Albert City-Truesdale, Albert City
- Ashley Dirks, Albert City-Truesdale, Albert City
- Lisa Doering, Alden Elementary, Alden
- Lori Blake, Ankeny Christian Academy, Ankeny
- Lynne Bleeker, Parkview Middle School, Ankeny
- Angel Brecht, Longfellow Elementary, Belle Plaine
- Stacey Hennings, Bennett Community School, Bennett
- Neal VanErsvelde, BGM Schools, Brooklyn
- Amy Madsen, Carroll Middle School, Carroll
- Allison Pattee, UNI Child Development Center, Cedar Falls
- John Hebrink, Franklin Middle School, Cedar Rapids
- Jennifer Redenius, Paton-Churdan Schools, Churdan
- Stephanie Burke, Prince of Peace Catholic School, Clinton
- Maria Lunders, Seeds of Faith Early Learning Center, Clive
- Beth Cuddeback, Seeds of Faith Early Learning Center, Clive
- Ann Worlie, Seeds of Faith Early Learning Center, Clive
- Janet Mack, Seeds of Faith Early Learning Center, Clive
- Christine Kennedy, Seeds of Faith Early Learning Center, Clive
- Michelle Zimmerman, Seeds of Faith Early Learning Center, Clive
- Erin Bemis, Seeds of Faith Early Learning Center, Clive
- Courtney Schulte, Seeds of Faith, Clive
- Christy Ayers, Corning Elementary, Corning
- Rob Hart, Franklin School, Council Bluffs
- Laurie Bancroft, Thomas Jefferson School, Council Bluffs
- Nathan Van Zante, Lewis Central Middle School, Council Bluffs
- Kevin Lewis, Heartland Christian School, Council Bluffs
- Robert Tellgren, Lewis and Clark School, Council Bluffs
- Salina Chesnut, Creston Early Childhood Center, Creston
- Jennifer DeLaRosa, Carrie Lee Elementary School, Decorah
- Marcy Klein, Carrie Lee Elementary, Decorah
- Kirsten Burrett, Carrie Lee Elementary, Decorah
- Jackie Panos, Carrie Lee Elementary, Decorah
- Theresa Huntley, Denison Elementary, Denison
- Lisa Blum, Denison Community School, Denison
- Vicki Rotert, St. Rose of Lima School, Denison
- Merrilee Sump, Zion Lutheran School, Denison
- Susan Bormann, Central DeWitt School, DeWitt
- Alicia Schiller Haynes, Central Lee High School, Donnellson
- Julie Voss, Resurrection Elementary, Dubuque
- Cassandra Cate, Peosta Elementary School, Dubuque
- Tracey Rush, Tri-State Christian School, Dubuque
- Ronda Rathe, Dunkerton Elementary, Dunkerton
- Susan Cenci, Eddyville Blakesburg Fremont Home School Assistance Program, Eddyville
- Linda Tegeler, Ed-Co Schools, Edgewood
- Cheryl Kremer, Central Elementary, Elkader
- Hannah Kozisek, Little Lambs Preschool, Garner
- Jennifer Wrage, Gladbrook-Reinbeck Elementary, Gladbrook
- Julie Peters, Glidden-Ralston Community School District, Glidden
- Nicole Smith, Woodward Granger ELC, Granger
- Tara Liston, Grundy Center Schools, Grundy Center
- Jason Weis, Harlan Community High School, Harlan
- Beverly Ambrosy, La Salle Catholic School, Holy Cross
- Dani Buhs, Taft Elementary, Humboldt
- Rose Miller, Irwin Elementary, Irwin
- Christina Carlton, Turkey Valley Schools, Jackson Junction
- Evie Milbrandt, Turkey Valley Schools, Jackson Junction
- Laura Mallory, Mid-Prairie Home School Ed. Center, Kalona
- Crystal Gingerich, Mid-Prairie Home School Program, Kalona
- Dawn Stoakes, Union Middle and High School, La Porte City
- Katie Johnsen, Logan-Magnolia Elementary, Logan
- Kasey Jensen, Logan Magnolia Elementary School, Logan
- Michelle Griffen, Logan-Magnolia Elementary, Logan
- Jennie Jensen, North Cedar Elementary, Lowden
- Sonni Norberg, Lambert Elementary, Manchester
- Rebecca Gaffney, Lambert Elementary, Manchester
- Craig Hutton, Lambert Elementary, Manchester
- Pam Koloc, Lambert Elementary, Manchester
- Kathy Scholl, MVAO High School, Mapleton
- Angie Schnepf, MMCRU Marcus, Marcus
- Amanda Seuntjens, MMCRU Elementary, Marcus
- Larry Day, North Iowa Christian School, Mason City
- Sarah Wille, MFL MarMac High School, Monona
- Judy Wiggins, Tri-Center Elementary, Neola
- Julie Sievers, Newell-Fonda Schools, Newell
- Megan Bennigsdorf, Newell-Fonda Schools, Newell
- Kayla Wingert, Newell-Fonda Schools, Newell
- Whitney McKeever, Newell-Fonda Schools, Newell
- Courtney Darrow, Newell-Fonda Schools, Newell
- Amy Freese, Newell-Fonda Schools, Newell
- Susan Hess, Newell-Fonda Schools, Newell
- Lindsey Henderson, Riverside Elementary, Oakland
- Malayne Meyer, Osage High School, Osage
- Elizabeth Good, Oskaloosa Elementary, Oskaloosa
- Johannah Neff, Pekin Elementary, Packwood
- Steven Hameister, Panorama Community Schools, Panora
- Ronda Wicks, Pleasantville Elementary, Pleasantville
- Amber Evans, Pocahontas Area Elementary, Pocahontas
- Sarah Allison, Hubbard-Radcliffe Elementary, Radcliffe
- Shari Ambrose, Community Lutheran School, Readlyn
- Kate Reuter, MMCRU Royals, Remsen
- Dustin Comstock, Shenandoah Middle School, Shenandoah
- Chelsey Cozad, Sidney Elementary School, Sidney
- Kyle Cleveringa, Sioux Center Middle School, Sioux Center
- Sara Laven, Spirit Lake Elementary, Spirit Lake
- Nancy Kriener, Spirit Lake Elementary, Spirit Lake
- Madison Steffes, Spirit Lake High School, Spirit Lake
- Lucas Doxtad, Spirit Lake Elementary, Spirit Lake
- Marissa Vermeer, Roland-Story Elementary School, Story City
- Alex Herrington, Treynor High School, Treynor
- Andrea Patterson, Radiant Elementary, Urbandale
- Rhonda Osborn, Des Moines Christian School, Urbandale
- Melissa Marwedel, Karen Acres Elementary School, Urbandale
- Cindy Snell, Waukee APEX, Waukee
- Kristie Kuhse, Waverly-Shell Rock Middle School, Waverly
- Jill Folsom/ Stacey Roberts, Maple Grove Elementary, West Des Moines
- Dawn Gannon, Calamus Wheatland Secondary, Wheatland
- Anne Weber, Whiting CSD, Whiting
- Jennifer Bakke, Whiting Elementary, Whiting
- Karsyn Kinney, Woodbine School, Woodbine
- Megan Kuhlmann, Woodbine Community School, Woodbine
- Danielle Peckenpaugh, Woodbine Community School, Woodbine
About the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation
IALF serves as a central resource for educators and volunteers who want to teach Iowa’s students about agriculture. The mission is to educate Iowans, with a focus on youth, regarding the breadth and global significance of agriculture. Iowa is a leading producer of agricultural products that are essential to feed a growing world population, estimated to reach more than nine billion by 2050. IALF believes it is important for all Iowans to understand the essential role agriculture has in their lives. IALF will support existing agriculture education efforts such as FFA, 4-H and Ag in the Classroom. IALF was created through a joint effort of agricultural stakeholders, including the Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, Silos and Smokestacks Foundation, Corteva Agriscience, GROWMARK, and the Iowa Beef Industry Council. For more information visit IALF online atwww.IowaAgLiteracy.org, on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
— Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation