Kindergarten through fifth grade educators working in schools, as well as home-schooling families, are encouraged to apply by Aug. 15 for resource kit grants courtesy of sponsor John Deere and the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture.
John Deere is sponsoring the distribution of 300 kits, each containing one copy of the Foundation’s 2018 Book of the Year, John Deere, That’s Who!, an educator guide and a classroom set (30-pack) of Ag Innovation ag mags.
Grant winners will be randomly selected from the pool of applicants. Resource kits will be sent to selected teachers in time for National Read a Book Day, Sept. 6.
“John Deere is very proud to support the Foundation’s efforts to educate youth on how the agriculture industry really works,” Steve Geick, director of Agriculture Industry Relations, said.
The book delves into John Deere’s steel plow invention. The accompanying ag mag explores how innovation and agriculture go hand-in-hand, and the educator guide was developed using national learning standards.
“Teachers are often expected to provide resources for their own classrooms, with many taking on the financial burden themselves,” Christy Lilja, executive director of the Foundation, said. “Thanks to John Deere’s generous sponsorship, we’re able to help ease that burden as teachers prepare for the new school year.”
The mission of the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture is to build awareness, understanding and a positive public perception of agriculture through education. The Foundation believes everyone should have an understanding of where their food comes from and who grows it.
To reach that goal, the Foundation offers a variety of standards-based programs and activities. Learn more at agfoundation.org.