WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – 2/8/2022 – The Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation (IALF) has awarded 111 grants to schools throughout Iowa to support the integration of agriculture into classroom instruction or after-school programs with an academic focus.

The Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher Supplement Grants are designed to help teachers initiate new projects or expand existing projects that promote agricultural literacy in students.  Grants can be used to fund innovative lessons, activities, classroom resources, guest speakers, outreach programs, educational trips, and other projects.

“I cannot begin to thank IALF enough for this opportunity to bring agriculture into my classroom. The students will learn so much” says Cassandra Cate.   Teachers will use these funds for field trips to dairy farms, hatcheries, and ag history tours.  Many recipients also plan to conduct projects related to aquaponics, water quality and farm to fork education.  These agricultural experiences will also support language arts, social studies and a variety of other concepts already taught in their classrooms.

“We had very high-quality applications this year involving agriculture in core curriculum in innovative and creative ways,” said IALF Interim Executive Director Barb Lykins.  “These projects will allow teachers to make learning real and relevant for their students and still align to state educational standards.”

The grants are a special project of IALF and made possible through support from the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.   

 “The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) is proud to provide financial assistance to support teachers in their classrooms,” said Ronnette Vondrak, IFBF community resources manager.   “Agricultural literacy is critical in further expanding knowledge and an understanding on the value and impact of Iowa agriculture.” 

The projects will be completed before the end of the school year with final reports submitted by June 6, 2022. For more information, visit www.iowaagliteracy.org.  The following are award recipients (in alphabetical order by city name): 

Rebekah Spragg, Albert City-Truesdale, Albert City

Ashley Dirks, Albert City-Truesdale, Albert City

Lisa Doering, Alden Elementary, Alden

Lori Blake, Ankeny Christian Academy, Ankeny

Lynne Bleeker, Parkview Middle School, Ankeny

Angel Brecht, Longfellow Elementary, Belle Plaine

Stacey Hennings, Bennett Community School, Bennett

Neal VanErsvelde, BGM Schools, Brooklyn

Amy Madsen, Carroll Middle School, Carroll

Allison Pattee, UNI Child Development Center, Cedar Falls

John Hebrink, Franklin Middle School, Cedar Rapids

Jennifer Redenius, Paton-Churdan Schools, Churdan

Stephanie Burke, Prince of Peace Catholic School, Clinton

Maria Lunders, Seeds of Faith Early Learning Center, Clive

Beth Cuddeback, Seeds of Faith Early Learning Center, Clive

Ann Worlie, Seeds of Faith Early Learning Center, Clive

Janet Mack, Seeds of Faith Early Learning Center, Clive

Christine Kennedy, Seeds of Faith Early Learning Center, Clive

Michelle Zimmerman, Seeds of Faith Early Learning Center, Clive

Erin Bemis, Seeds of Faith Early Learning Center, Clive

Courtney Schulte, Seeds of Faith, Clive

Christy Ayers, Corning Elementary, Corning

Rob Hart, Franklin School, Council Bluffs

Laurie Bancroft, Thomas Jefferson School, Council Bluffs

Nathan Van Zante, Lewis Central Middle School, Council Bluffs

Kevin Lewis, Heartland Christian School, Council Bluffs

Robert Tellgren, Lewis and Clark School, Council Bluffs

Salina Chesnut, Creston Early Childhood Center, Creston

Jennifer DeLaRosa, Carrie Lee Elementary School, Decorah

Marcy Klein, Carrie Lee Elementary, Decorah

Kirsten Burrett, Carrie Lee Elementary, Decorah

Jackie Panos, Carrie Lee Elementary, Decorah

Theresa Huntley, Denison Elementary, Denison

Lisa Blum, Denison Community School, Denison

Vicki Rotert, St. Rose of Lima School, Denison

Merrilee Sump, Zion Lutheran School, Denison

Susan Bormann, Central DeWitt School, DeWitt

Alicia Schiller Haynes, Central Lee High School, Donnellson

Julie Voss, Resurrection Elementary, Dubuque

Cassandra Cate, Peosta Elementary School, Dubuque

Tracey Rush, Tri-State Christian School, Dubuque

Ronda Rathe, Dunkerton Elementary, Dunkerton

Susan Cenci, Eddyville Blakesburg Fremont Home School Assistance Program, Eddyville

Linda Tegeler, Ed-Co Schools, Edgewood

Cheryl Kremer, Central Elementary, Elkader

Hannah Kozisek, Little Lambs Preschool, Garner

Jennifer Wrage, Gladbrook-Reinbeck Elementary, Gladbrook

Julie Peters, Glidden-Ralston Community School District, Glidden

Nicole Smith, Woodward Granger ELC, Granger

Tara Liston, Grundy Center Schools, Grundy Center

Jason Weis, Harlan Community High School, Harlan

Beverly Ambrosy, La Salle Catholic School, Holy Cross

Dani Buhs, Taft Elementary, Humboldt

Rose Miller, Irwin Elementary, Irwin

Christina Carlton, Turkey Valley Schools, Jackson Junction

Evie Milbrandt, Turkey Valley Schools, Jackson Junction

Laura Mallory, Mid-Prairie Home School Ed. Center, Kalona

Crystal Gingerich, Mid-Prairie Home School Program, Kalona

Dawn Stoakes, Union Middle and High School, La Porte City

Katie Johnsen, Logan-Magnolia Elementary, Logan

Kasey Jensen, Logan Magnolia Elementary School, Logan

Michelle Griffen, Logan-Magnolia Elementary, Logan

Jennie Jensen, North Cedar Elementary, Lowden

Sonni Norberg, Lambert Elementary, Manchester

Rebecca Gaffney, Lambert Elementary, Manchester

Craig Hutton, Lambert Elementary, Manchester

Pam Koloc, Lambert Elementary, Manchester

Kathy Scholl, MVAO High School, Mapleton

Angie Schnepf, MMCRU Marcus, Marcus

Amanda Seuntjens, MMCRU Elementary, Marcus

Larry Day, North Iowa Christian School, Mason City

Sarah Wille, MFL MarMac High School, Monona

Judy Wiggins, Tri-Center Elementary, Neola

Julie Sievers, Newell-Fonda Schools, Newell

Megan Bennigsdorf, Newell-Fonda Schools, Newell

Kayla Wingert, Newell-Fonda Schools, Newell

Whitney McKeever, Newell-Fonda Schools, Newell

Courtney Darrow, Newell-Fonda Schools, Newell

Amy Freese, Newell-Fonda Schools, Newell

Susan Hess, Newell-Fonda Schools, Newell

Lindsey Henderson, Riverside Elementary, Oakland

Malayne Meyer, Osage High School, Osage

Elizabeth Good, Oskaloosa Elementary, Oskaloosa

Johannah Neff, Pekin Elementary, Packwood

Steven Hameister, Panorama Community Schools, Panora

Ronda Wicks, Pleasantville Elementary, Pleasantville

Amber Evans, Pocahontas Area Elementary, Pocahontas

Sarah Allison, Hubbard-Radcliffe Elementary, Radcliffe

Shari Ambrose, Community Lutheran School, Readlyn

Kate Reuter, MMCRU Royals, Remsen

Dustin Comstock, Shenandoah Middle School, Shenandoah

Chelsey Cozad, Sidney Elementary School, Sidney

Kyle Cleveringa, Sioux Center Middle School, Sioux Center

Sara Laven, Spirit Lake Elementary, Spirit Lake

Nancy Kriener, Spirit Lake Elementary, Spirit Lake

Madison Steffes, Spirit Lake High School, Spirit Lake

Lucas Doxtad, Spirit Lake Elementary, Spirit Lake

Marissa Vermeer, Roland-Story Elementary School, Story City

Alex Herrington, Treynor High School, Treynor

Andrea Patterson, Radiant Elementary, Urbandale

Rhonda Osborn, Des Moines Christian School, Urbandale

Melissa Marwedel, Karen Acres Elementary School, Urbandale

Cindy Snell, Waukee APEX, Waukee

Kristie Kuhse, Waverly-Shell Rock Middle School, Waverly

Jill Folsom/ Stacey Roberts, Maple Grove Elementary, WDM

Dawn Gannon, Calamus Wheatland Secondary, Wheatland

Anne Weber, Whiting CSD, Whiting

Jennifer Bakke, Whiting Elementary, Whiting

Karsyn Kinney, Woodbine School, Woodbine

Megan Kuhlmann, Woodbine Community School, Woodbine

Danielle Peckenpaugh, Woodbine Community School, Woodbine

 

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 nine 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, Corteva Agriscience, GROWMARK, and the Iowa Beef Industry Council. For more information visit IALF online at www.IowaAgLiteracy.org, on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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