Several Michigan county farm bureaus have been the recipients of $500 grants in a recent run of gifts from a national agricultural education program.
Gratiot and Isabella counties in mid-Michigan are among eight farm bureaus in the state, including the
Michigan Farm Bureau, to get the educational grants from the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture. Michigan grantees made up a significant chunk of the national granting program.
"That's 28 percent; more than a quarter of the grant recipients!" says Deb Schmucker of the Michigan Farm Bureau. "We're proud of the achievement and believe it reflects our members' commitment to administering quality programs and their passion for agricultural education. On behalf of the Michigan Farm Bureau and the county Farm Bureau recipients, we're thrilled and eager to put the funds to good use in our communities."
The Gratiot County Farm Bureau will use its $500 to bring a project called "Grow a Pizza" to fourth-grade classrooms. Having students grow herbs and vegetables in the classroom will help foster understanding of how food products are made and how many ingredients can be grown in Michigan.
The Isabella County Farm Bureau has a similarly inspirational school project for third-grade students, in which the students will grow vegetable in portable greenhouses and learn the science behind food production. The grant also will fund educational gardening books and a visit by a local farmer to the classroom.
The other recipients are Calhoun, Huron, Missaukee and Wexford county farm bureaus, and the Hiawathaland Farm Bureau, which represents four U.P. counties. Criteria for the grants included having an effective, demonstrated connection between agriculture and education, encouraging students to learn more about agriculture and the food and fiber industries, and meeting procedures and timelines to accomplish project goals.
Writer: Sam EgglestonSource Deb Schmucker, Michigan Farm Bureau
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