Grants promote ag literacy through Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom

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[October 16, 2024]    The Illinois Agriculture in the Classroom (IAITC) program remains a trusted teacher resource for educating children about connections to agriculture. This week the program received funding to continue classroom lessons thanks to IAA Foundation grants to local county coalitions.

Eighty-one coalitions serving 88 Illinois counties were awarded $647,000 in grant dollars which can be used for materials, training, educational lessons, and activities taking place during the 2024-2025 school year.

“Providing these grants ensures teachers have a local connection and access to engaging resources to integrate accurate agricultural content into their classrooms,” said Kevin Daugherty, IAITC education director.

Last school year, 634,314 students and 48,380 teachers engaged in ag literacy lessons through IAITC. County AITC programs presented 32,232 individual programs throughout the state, an average of 400 per coalition. Classroom presentations, farm field trips, and agriculture expos add a new dimension to existing curricular standards.

County coalition grants are made possible through funding from the IAA Foundation, the charitable arm of the Illinois Farm Bureau. The IAA Foundation raises funds for the IAITC program each year, and in addition to county grants, provides funding for Ag Mags, teacher grants, Summer Ag Academies, and more.

“Consistent and sustainable funding is key for IAITC to have great results,” said Susan Moore, IAA Foundation director. “And knowing that so many Illinois students are making stronger connections to agriculture drives our donors to keep making ag literacy a priority, and we are grateful for that.”

Partner organizations of IAITC include Illinois Farm Bureau, Facilitating Coordination in Agricultural Education, University of Illinois Extension, Illinois Beef Association, Illinois Corn Marketing Board, Illinois Pork Producers Association, Illinois Soybean Association, Midwest Dairy Association, Illinois Department of Agriculture and the Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts.

In addition, annual donors include agribusiness partners and individuals with an interest in supporting the future of agriculture. For information on how individuals can contribute, or to view a listing of all major donors, visit www.iaafoundation.org. For information on IAITC, visit www.agintheclassroom.org.

Counties awarded ag literacy grants:

Adams County
Bond County
Bureau County
Cass and Morgan Counties
Champaign County
Christian County
Clark County
Clay County
Cook County
Coles County
Crawford County
Cumberland County
Clinton County

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DeKalb County
Douglas County
DuPage County
Edgar County
Edwards County
Effingham County
Ford and Iroquois Counties
Franklin County
Fulton County
Gallatin County
Grundy County
Hamilton and Jefferson Counties
Hancock County
Henry County
Jackson County
Jasper County
Kane County
Kankakee County
Kendall County
Knox County
Lake County
LaSalle County
Lawrence County
Lee County
Livingston County
Logan County

Macon County
Macoupin County
Madison County
Marion County
Marshall and Putnam Counties
Mason County
Massac County
McDonough County
McHenry County
McLean County
Menard County
Mercer County
Monroe County
Montgomery County
Moultrie County
Ogle & Carroll Counties
Peoria County
Perry County
Piatt and Dewitt Counties
Pulaski and Alexander Counties
Randolph County
Richland County
Rock Island County
Saline County
Sangamon County
Shelby County
St. Clair County
Stark County
Stephenson County
Union County
Vermillion County
Wabash County
Warren and Henderson Counties
Washington County
Wayne Counties
White County
Whiteside County
Will County
Williamson County
Winnebago and Boone Counties

[Sierra Henry
Media Relations Specialist
Illinois Farm Bureau]

 

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