The American Farm Bureau Foundation For Agriculture awarded $9,400 in grants earmarked to recognize and assist ten literacy programs across the country. Funding for these ag literacy grants comes from the White-Reinhardt Fund for Education – a group prioritizing connecting students to agriculture.
State and county Farm Bureaus across the country were invited to apply for $1,000 grants that supported K-12 educational programs – new and old. Grants are awarded twice per year during the spring and the fall.
In their news brief, Foundation Director Daniel Meloy commented, “We are excited to highlight so many outstanding projects and celebrate the educators and communities that created these programs. Agricultural literacy programs like the ones selected for grants that inspire students to understand where their food comes from and how they can be part of innovative solutions to keep agriculture sustainable for generations to come.”
The Fall 2022 White-Reinhardt Grant Recipients are:
Georgia Farm Bureau
The Georgia Ag Experience plans to update its 36-foot mobile classroom with sensory-based learning opportunities for Early Intervention Program students and those with special needs. The 36-foot mobile classroom showcases Georgia agriculture and has been hitting the roads for ag literacy since 2021.
Banks County Farm Bureau, Georgia
This Georgia Farm Bureau boasts a pollinator garden. They will utilize funds to update this garden, expanding the number of plants and flowers students can study. They will also update the Farm Bureau’s vertical garden and cooking equipment to teach youth about the seed-to-plate process.
Union County Farm Bureau, Illinois
Union County’s Farm Bureau will use funds to introduce AeroGarden kits to students. These kits will help youth to understand different growing methods and plant life cycles.
Sedgwick County Farm Bureau, Kansas
The Sedgwick County Farm Bureau will partner with the PBS Kansas Cochener-Garvey Foundation CHildren’s Education and Discovery Center in Wichita. Youth will also experience a beef display that illustrates cuts and other beef information while focusing on STEAM topics.
Sherman County Farm Bureau, Kansas
Sherman will create an ag ambassador program for 2022-2023 incoming seniors at the Goodland High School. The program will put these youth in a mentorship program, where they will teach younger students about agriculture. The Sherman County Farm Bureau also plans to create a K-12 curriculum.
Newton County Farm Bureau, Missouri
Seneca’s FFA chapter Agricultural Literacy and Environmental Committees, is partnering with the Newton County Farm Bureau to build an augmented reality sandbox. This 3D sandbox will illustrate mapping, topography, watersheds, and natural hazards. Students who use this resource will learn about watershed impacts on agriculture.
Wood County Farm Bureau, Ohio
Wood Soil and Water Conservation District will be working alongside the county’s elementary schools to bring representatives and agriculture community members to schools to read books and talk about agriculture. Books will be donated to the libraries for future use.
Matagorda County Farm Bureau, Texas
Matagorda’s Farm Bureau and County Soil and Water Conservation District are purchasing an indoor aeroponic tower growing system. A group of students will participate in a “Good-to-Grow” project, illustrating different production methods for growing produce. The groups will also provide an outdoor soil garden. Both resources will be available for all school districts in the county.
Utah Farm Bureau
Utah’s State Farm Bureau is expanding its ag literacy starter kits and will provide these to all 29 counties in Utah. They will also be adding incubator kits for students to learn about embryology.
Mercer County Farm Bureau, West Virginia
The Wade Center serves at-risk elementary school children. The grant monies allocated to Mercer County’s Farm Bureau will provide incubation kits. Students will hatch chicks and raise a block of chickens while learning about farming and nutrition.
