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America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education

Farmers have an opportunity to nominate their local school district to apply for a grant to help build their school’s math and science programs.

Since 2011 the Monsanto Fund has awarded over $7 million dollars through the America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education program. Heather Wolfe, Customer Advocacy Manager at Monsanto says funds are used in a variety of ways, including upgrading technology in the classroom.

“We’ve also had a lot of our dollars go towards greenhouses and outdoor learning environments, those are great ways to obviously get students involved in hands-on projects,” Wolfe said. “And we’ve had a lot of money go to teacher and curriculum development.”

The deadline for farmers to nominate their local school district is April 1. Information is available here.

Audio: Heather Wolfe, Monsanto

Brownfield states and the funding they received in 2014

Illinois –in 2014 there were 14 winners, 12 were $10,000 winners and two were $25,000 winners for a total of $170,000 going back to Illinois to help keep rural schools growing.

Indiana – in 2014 there were seven winning school districts, four were $10,000 winners, and three were $25,000 winners for a total of $115,000 going back to Indiana.

Iowa – in 2014 there were 11 winners, nine were $10,000 winners and two were $25,000 winners for a total of $140,000 going back to Iowa to help keep rural schools growing.

Michigan – in 2014 there 6 winning school districts, four $10,000 winners and two $25,000 winners for a total of $90,000 going back to Michigan to help fund math and science initiatives.

Minnesota – there were nine winning school districts in Minnesota, six were $10,000 winners and three were $25,000 winners for a total of $135,000 going to students in Minnesota.

Missouri – in 2014 there we 14 winners, 12 $10,000 winners and two were $25,000 winners for a total of $170,000 going to Missouri to help enhance math and science in rural school districts.

Nebraska – there were 11 winners in 2014, seven were $10,000 winners and four were $25,000 winners for a total of $170,000 going back to Nebraska to help students with Math and Science.

Ohio – in 2014 there were 8 winning school districts, five $10,000 winners, and three $25,000 winners for a total of $125,000 going back to Ohio to keep rural schools growing.

South Dakota – in 2014 there were five winning school districts, four were $10,000 winners and one was a $25,000 winner for a total of $65,000 going to South Dakota to help with Math and Science.

Wisconsin – in 2014 there were eight winning school districts, six were $10,000 winners and two were $25,000 winners for a total of $110,000 going back to students in Wisconsin to help enhance math and science curriculum.