Des Moines, Iowa – September 13, 2016– The Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation helps educate students across Iowa understand where their food and fiber comes from and how agriculture plays such an important role in the state’s economy. For a third year, DuPont Pioneer will be supporting these efforts for students to learn about food, science, and career options through agriculture.

Agriculture in the Classroom helps teachers connect core subject matter with agriculture by providing real world examples for their students. This K-12 program helps students understand the value and source of agriculture as it affects quality of life. This includes the science of food production, understanding how agriculture and the environment are intertwined, and how we can continue to improve agriculture practices to feed an ever increasing world population.

“It isn’t about asking teachers to add agriculture as another subject to teach,” said Will Fett executive director of IALF. “Instead, teachers can use agriculture as the vehicle to teach science, social studies, and language arts. This makes learning real and relevant for students.”

Through this donation, DuPont Pioneer will be supporting teachers’ professional development workshops, student publications, lesson plan development, STEM festivals, a lending library, and other events and activities focused on increasing agriculture literacy.

“Agriculture is at the core of our business,” said Amanda Rinehart, DuPont Pioneer marketing manager. “Food plays an important part in all of our lives, and it is important for us to support initiatives like these. Collaboratively working together is how we can address the challenges of the future. We want bright, passionate, well-educated students to step into those roles.”

# # #

About the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation
IALF serves as a central resource for educators and volunteers who want to teach Iowa’s students about agriculture. The mission is to educate Iowans, with a focus on youth, regarding the breadth and global significance of agriculture. Iowa is a leading producer of agricultural products that are essential to feed a growing world population, estimated to reach more than 9 billion by 2050. IALF believes it is important for all Iowans to understand the essential role agriculture has in their lives. IALF will support existing agriculture education efforts such as FFA, 4-H and Ag in the Classroom. IALF was created through a joint effort of agricultural stakeholders, including the Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, Silos and Smokestacks Foundation, DuPont Pioneer, GROWMARK, and the Iowa Beef Industry Council. For more information visit IALF online at IowaAgLiteracy.org, on Facebook, and Twitter.

Source:
Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation

Contact:
Will Fett, Executive Director
Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation
WFett@IowaAgLiteracy.org
515-331-4182