Agricultural News
Nominations Open for $25,000 America's Farmers Grow Rural Education Grants
Fri, 11 Jan 2013 10:26:48 CST
Nationwide, a movement is underway to improve the math and science aptitude of today's students. For the second year in a row, the Monsanto Fund is gearing-up to invest $2.3 million to strengthen math and science education in rural communities through America's Farmers Grow Rural Education?.
Now until April 15, 2013, farmers can nominate their favorite, local public school district. Administrators of nominated school districts can then submit grant applications through April 30, 2013 to enhance their math and/or science programs.
"We believe bright futures start in the classroom," said Deborah Patterson, Monsanto Fund president. "Building a strong math and science foundation for today's youth is great preparation for future success."
Qualifying farmers can nominate school districts in the following eligible Oklahoma counties: Garfield, Grant, Jackson, Kay, Le Flore, Noble, Ottawa, Texas, Tillman, Wagoner, and Washita.
Qualifying farmers must be 21 years of age or older and actively engaged in farming 250 acres of corn, soybeans and/or cotton; or 40 acres of open field vegetables; or 10 acres of tomatoes, peppers and/or cucumbers grown in protected culture.
Eligible counties are those in which a total of 30,000 acres of corn, soybeans, cotton and/or vegetables are planted per calendar year based on the January 2012 USDA report.
The America's Farmers Grow Rural Education program is part of a broad commitment by the Monsanto Fund to highlight the important contributions farmers make every day to society. Following a successful pilot in Minnesota and Illinois, America's Farmers Grow Rural Education debuted nationally last year in 1,245 counties across 39 states. Its reach has grown to include 1,271 counties this year.
America's Farmers Grow Rural Education offers farmers the opportunity to nominate rural public school districts to compete for a grant of either $10,000 or $25,000. Nominated school districts can then submit an application for either grant amount. Winners will be announced in August 2013.
School districts that apply for a $10,000 grant will compete against other school districts in the same USDA-appointed Crop Reporting District (CRD). CRDs with fewer than five eligible school districts will compete against each other for a single, $10,000 grant. School districts that apply for a $25,000 grant will compete against schools that are located in the same state or designated region.
Grants will be awarded by the Monsanto Fund based on merit, need and community support. The America's Farmers Grow Rural Education Advisory Council, a group of 30 farmer leaders from across the country, will select the winning grant applications. Advisory Council members were selected based on their passion for agriculture and education, as well as experience in rural school districts.
America's Farmers Grow Rural Education at a Glance:
--Farmers in 1,271 eligible counties can nominate their local public school districts to apply for a $10,000 or $25,000 grant focused on math and/or science.
--The nomination only takes a few minutes by visiting www.growruraleducation.com or calling 1-877-267-3332.
--The Monsanto Fund will award 194 grants this year. There will be 172 $10,000 grants and 22 grants of $25,000 awarded.
--The Monsanto Fund will invest up to $2.3 million in school districts across 39 states this year.
--A list of eligible states and regions can be found at www.growruraleducation.com.
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