West Des Moines, Iowa – The Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation (IALF) announced today it received a $20,000 grant from Bayer Fund, a philanthropic arm of Bayer in the U.S., which will be used to support STEM teacher professional development workshops. This grant will support the development and execution of up to 12 professional development workshops – both hybrid and online – for Iowa teachers to increase their knowledge of STEM and its connections to agriculture, agriculture careers, and agriculture innovation.

“Professional development is integral to providing teachers technical training to increase their comfort of incorporating STEM and agriculture concepts in tandem,” said Kelly Foss, IALF Executive Director. “We are excited to have educators learn about agriculture and see how easily it can be incorporated into classroom topics they’re already teaching, and how students can see the relevance of agriculture in their everyday lives.”

These two-day, fast-paced professional development workshops give educators tools and experiences they will need to implement Iowa Core Standards into their classrooms. Participants will tour local agribusinesses to learn more about agriculture, and discuss classroom standards and strategies. Participants will leave the workshops with instructional strategies, lesson plans, and activities that can be immediately implemented into their classrooms with little or no additional effort. The workshops will be held throughout the state of Iowa from June through August. For more information the workshops visit: https://www.iowaagliteracy.org/tools-resources/general/professional-development  

“Through Bayer Fund’s giving, we’re enabling and strengthening organizations that are working to make real, sustainable impacts in their local communities across the United States,” said Al Mitchell, President of Bayer Fund. “Programs like the IALF Teacher Professional Development Workshops inspire future generations for careers in the high-demand STEM field, and we’re proud to provide our support.”

In 2022, Bayer Fund awarded more than $13.4 million to over 2,700 charitable and nonprofit organizations to help address essential needs in food and nutrition, STEM education and health & wellness. Since 2017, nonprofit organizations across the U.S. have received nearly $90 million.


About the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation
Iowa is the leading producer of agricultural products that are essential to feed a growing world population, estimated to reach more than nine billion by 2050. IALF believes it is important for all Iowans to understand the essential role agriculture has in their lives. Through Agriculture in the Classroom efforts, IALF engages with teachers and students throughout Iowa. 

IALF is supported by the Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, GROWMARK, Iowa Beef Industry Council, Iowa Turkey Federation, Corteva Agriscience, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Nutrien, Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area, and others in support of strengthening agriculture literacy among Pre-K through 12th grade teachers and their students. For more information visit IALF online at www.IowaAgLiteracy.org, on Facebook, and Twitter. 

About Bayer Fund 
Bayer Fund, a philanthropic arm of Bayer in the U.S., is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the communities where Bayer customers and employees live and work by providing funding for food and nutrition, education, and health and wellness projects. For more information visit https://www.fund.bayer.us.