Grant money for Florida Teachers: Florida Farm Bureau will award $9,500 in grant money for creative agricultural school projects

Pre-K, elementary, middle and high school teachers can grow their project budgets for their classrooms by teaching their students about agriculture. Florida Farm Bureau Federation is offering multiple $250 mini-grants to certified Florida educators who are engaged in classroom instruction at the pre-K to 12th grade levels for the 2015-16 school year. The grants will be awarded for up to $250 for original and creative activities or programs that increase the understanding of agriculture among both students and educators. “Agriculture has no subject boundaries,” said Michael Rogalsky, Field Services Director. “We encourage teachers to think outside the box when integrating agriculture into their curriculum. Core academic subjects such as Math, English and Science are essential to agriculture. Teachers who incorporate agriculture into these core subjects should apply for the grant.” Grant applications are due September 15. Winners of the grant will be notified no later than November 15 via email. Educators can apply for the grant by visiting floridafarmbureau.formstack.com/forms/grant. The Mini-Grant Program is part of the Florida Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee’s commitment to support agricultural education in classrooms across Florida. A total of up to $9,500 will be awarded in mini-grants throughout the 2015-16 school year. Last year, 57 Florida teachers received grant funding for their agricultural projects. Florida Farm Bureau has awarded more than $150,000 in total grants toward promoting agriculture in the classroom since the program’s inception in 1998. Florida Farm Bureau is the state’s largest general agricultural organization, represents more than 147,000 member-families. Farm Bureau serves to enhance farm enterprise and improve rural communities.