WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – October 24, 2024 – The Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation (IALF) is kicking off its annual movement to transform Iowa classrooms by offering mini-grants for Iowa educators! These grants are designed to inspire innovative teaching by incorporating agriculture into academic lessons and after-school programs, showing students how agriculture shapes their lives and the world around them. 

The agriculture-focused grants, made possible through contributions from organizations and individuals, including the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), provide Iowa teachers with up to $200 to support new or expand existing projects that promote agriculture literacy.

“The IFBF is proud to partner with IALF and support educators in their classrooms,” said Ronnette Vondrak, IFBF community resources manager. “Agricultural literacy is critical in further expanding knowledge and an understanding of the value and impact agriculture has across our state and world.” 

These funds can be used for a variety of activities, including lessons, activities, classroom resources, guest speakers, outreach programs, field trips, and other projects, all of which promote agricultural literacy.

“These Teacher Supplement Grants support IALF’s mission to enhance students’ understanding of agriculture and its role in their daily lives,” said Kelly Foss, IALF Executive Director. “Over the last 10 years, IALF has awarded more than $361,000 directly to Iowa teachers and their students, as a way to support and inspire agriculture learning in classrooms across Iowa.”

“Our students used the Teacher Supplement Grant funding to establish an apple orchard,” said Alex McDougall, Humboldt High School. “This project expanded students’ view of agriculture. Through hands-on experience, they learned about the orchard industry, horticulture, and food science careers, while also covering key Iowa Core Standards like plant anatomy and propagation techniques.”  

Eligible applicants include preschool through 12th grade teachers, librarians, afterschool program coordinators, and Homeschool Assistance Programs at Iowa schools. Projects must relate to social studies, science, math, language arts, or 21st century skills and integrate agriculture into the learning.                     

Applications are due by November 30, 2024. Projects must be conducted between January 13 and June 7, 2025. Educators can apply online or learn more at https://www.iowaagliteracy.org/tools-resources/general/grants.  


Media photos available for download

  • Beverly Ambrosy_3 (1).jpg – La Salle Catholic School students visited Schwer's Farm to see beef cattle. As part of the visit, they saw large semi-trailers used to haul cattle.
  • Clare Farrell_4.jpg – Grant Ragan Elementary students in Waukee learned about animal lifecycle and chick lifecycle.
  • Glenda Seward_3.jpg – Mid-Prairie High School culinary students in Wellman learn to grow culinary herbs and salad greens in the ag department's greenhouse, then incorporate those foods into the food prepared in the culinary lab.
  • Leslie Putnam_2.jpg – Louisa-Muscatine Elementary students used what they learned to plant their own living things.
  • Sarah Wille_3 (1).jpg  – MFL MarMac High School students in Monona learned about plant health and growth.



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