By Julie Tomascik
Editor
Applications are now open for Texas Farm Bureau’s (TFB) 2022 Clover Cash Grant Program, which supports Texas 4-H activities across the state.
The grants are available to county, district and state 4-H programs to help fund hands-on activities to grow student agricultural knowledge and increase agricultural advocacy efforts.
“We’re looking for projects that provide hands-on experiences and ideas that really engage students,” McKenna Bush, TFB youth outreach coordinator, said. “We want to see projects that expand students’ knowledge of agriculture in ways that are meaningful and memorable.”
At the county level, four grants up to $500, four grants up to $750 and three grants up to $1,000 each will be 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, district 4-H specialists or adult leaders of any county, district or state 4-H program are eligible to apply. State 4-H staff responsible for any state level 4-H program are also eligible.
The funds will be disbursed by the Texas 4-H Foundation to 4-H clubs only, not an individual.
For the application to be considered, students must be directly engaged in the educational component of the project.
“Proposals that received funding in previous years involved things like vermiculture, hydroponics and cooking classes. The more interactive the project is, the better,” Bush said. “Kids like to learn by doing, and this is a great opportunity to secure funding for innovative project ideas.”
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.
“Clover Cash creates more opportunities to help 4-H programs connect young kids with agriculture,” Bush said. “This gives programs at local, district and state levels more opportunities to interact with students as they seek to learn more about agricultural production in Texas.”
The program, which launched in 2020, has provided $40,000 in grants to help numerous 4-H clubs and activities with programming and activities related to agriculture and advocacy.
Program guidelines and an application form are available online at texasfarmbureau.org/youth/youth-opportunities.
Applications are due by noon on Aug. 15.
Applicants will receive their funds once winners are announced in mid-October.
Contact Bush at youthactivities@txfb.org or call 254-751-2489 with questions.