Farm Bureau Grant Supports Educational Programs

by Deb Snyders

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This past year, Kindergarten - 12th grade teachers and school librarians had the opportunity to apply for a supplemental competitive grant through the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.  Applicants had to choose between two subject areas:  Reading or Science.  Applicants had to be specific in the connection to agriculture and what the students would learn about agriculture.  If chosen as a grant recipient, you had to explain how you would sustain this program in the future.  The applicant had to answer what Iowa Core essential concepts would be taught, and list the skills that would be included in the project.  Also,the application included questions about how the lesson would be assessed.  The total amount requested could not exceed $200.

This past March, I found out that I had been awarded a Farm Bureau Teacher Supplement Grant in the amount of $162.72.  With the money, I was able to purchase items for a unit on Painted Lady Butterflies.  Some of the items purchased were:  

• Painted Lady Life Cycle figures that accurately detail the egg, larva, chrysalid and adult butterfly
• A live butterfly activity book
• A life cycle of a butterfly chart
• 8 full-color books on Monarch Butterflies
• Live Butterfly Culture coupon

I would like to thank the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation for their generous gift.  Thanks for investing in our youth and in the future of Iowa.  

Be sure to view the picture of the students showing off the new items we were able to purchase with the grant money. Look for another article next month when we finish our unit on Painted Lady butterflies.