By Jennifer Dorsett
Field Editor
A new Texas Farm Bureau (TFB) grant program, Clover Cash, aims to help Texas 4-H clubs increase their reach in connecting youth to agriculture.
The grant program is available on the county, district and state levels to fund hands-on activities that grow students’ knowledge of food, fiber and fuel, as well as increases their awareness of the importance of agricultural advocacy.
At the county level, four grants up to $500, four grants up to $750 and three grants up to $1,000 are available.
Four grants up to $1,500 each will be awarded at the Texas 4-H district level, and three grants up to $2,000 each will be awarded for state projects.
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension agents or adult leaders of any county, district or state 4-H program are eligible to apply. The funds will be disbursed by the Texas 4-H Foundation to organizations only, not an individual.
“We’re looking for projects that provide hands-on experiences and ideas that really engage students,” TFB Director of Youth Outreach Mia Balko said. “We want to see projects that expand students’ knowledge of agriculture in ways that are meaningful and memorable.”
For the application to be considered, students must be directly engaged in the educational component of the project.
A timeline of the project, a list of all community partners and a detailed budget with estimated expenses must also be included in the application.
Applicants are encouraged to be creative in their project proposals and descriptions.
“We’re leaving the parameters pretty wide open, so 4-H clubs can really get creative and do whatever it is they need to do to get the message home to their students,” Balko said.
Applications must be submitted via a Google document and are due by midnight on July 17.
Grant winners will be announced in August.
Click here for more information on the Clover Cash program.
Questions may be directed to Balko at mbalko@txfb.org or 254.399.5037.