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 Deb Freed, of Northwest Elementary Kindergarten, Nikki Renken, of
Adams Elementary 2nd grade, Beth Ann Polley, of Chester-East Lincoln
Elementary 1st grade in Lincoln and Amanda Gray, of Olympia South
Elementary 1st grade have been awarded a Container Garden grant for
use in the classroom. Grant recipients receive reusable gardening
materials including an EarthBox® container, money to purchase soil
and seeds, and related books and lessons to further the educational
experience.
“Great opportunities like this stem from great partnerships,” said
Susan Moore, Director of the IAA Foundation. “And we are fortunate
to have supportive donors like ADM who understand the need to bring
agriculture directly to the classroom.”
Archer Daniels Midland Company recently donated $42,000.00 to the
Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom Program, supporting the work
of statewide County Ag Literacy Coordinators, as well as funding the
Container Garden lesson series and special Garden Grants for
Illinois teachers.
The donation was given through ADM Cares. ADM Cares is a social
investment program that directs funds to initiatives and
organizations that drive meaningful social, economic and
environmental progress worldwide. The program comprises three
distinct focus areas: supporting the responsible development of
agriculture, improving the quality of life in ADM communities and
fostering employee giving and volunteer activities.
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“IAITC is excited to get container gardens and materials in the hands of
teachers. Students will get the chance to see where their food comes from by
planting an individual container garden in their classroom. More than just
planting, students will tend to and take care of the garden, as well as
participate in classroom lessons linking science, nutrition and agriculture.
Agriculture will come alive for these students through the hands-on activities
and materials provided,” said Kevin Daugherty, Education Director, Illinois
Agriculture in the Classroom.
The mission of the Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom program is to bring
accurate and authentic agricultural information to the students in grades
PreK-12 across Illinois. The IAA Foundation, Illinois Farm Bureau’s charitable
arm, funds the work of IAITC through generous contributions. More information
about IAITC can be found at
www.agintheclassroom.org, and information on how to contribute can be
found at www.iaafoundation.org.
[Amy Hyde, Ag in the Classroom, Logan
County Extension]
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